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Johann Michael Nicolai: Sonatas from 17th Century Germany On the cutting edge of music in the 17th century was the new Baroque style that began and was flourishing in Italy. In order to bring the new Baroque style to their courts, the nobility of 17th century Germany had to employ Italian musicians. German-speaking lands became saturated with Italian music and Italian musicians, spreading the new Baroque style of music throughout central Europe. German musicians would also visit Italy in order to study with Italian masters. By the mid-17th century, German and Austrian composers had absorbed the new style and adapted it to their own culture. The 17th century also saw the rise and growth of the royal courts in Europe. Primarily due to the new developments in the art of war, a centralized authority could only afford the required large armies. As royal monarchs increased their power and reach, lesser nobles were drawn to the increasingly larger royal courts to manage the nation. These new roles for the nobility required greater education, and that, in turn, led to a greater appreciation of the arts and the desire to be at the forefront of culture. Finally, the end of this massive conflict known as the Thirty Years' War in 1648 freed the royal courts from the monetary constraints of war, and this new financial freedom allowed a renewed dedication to arts. Almost all of the composers on this disc came to musical maturity around the end of the Thirty Years' War and enjoyed the post-war largesse of the German courts.