![]() ![]() Don't bother with the performance they did for DGG/Arkiv, which I think was done in digital, but which features squealier instrument playing, lower energy and comparatively weak ensemble. They did two versions (maybe more?), one in all analogue sound for the CRD label and released in the US on Vanguard-don't know who (if anyone) released this on CD, but THIS IS THE VERSION YOU WANT. The same could be said of Marriner/ASMF on early Argo, and the sound is marginally better on that one, but I tend to prefer I Musici's playing. Gorgeous ensemble and execution in every way, including very good recording, but on modern instruments. I Musici's first stereo version on Philips (surely they released it on CD at some point). There’s no big orchestral ritornello here, just a cheeky little theme to set up the solo violin that has instant “earworm” potential.I'll give you some old-school alternatives: Their big box set of Op.1-12 concertos and sonatas is terrific, so I’ve gone for the opening violin concerto of La cetra (The Cittern, or Lyre). I simply had to include something from Federico Guglielmo and L’Arte dell’Arco who have provided such entertaining listening over the past few months. The outer movements are full of energetic vigour, but the central Largo is truly tender, wonderfully performed here by Dmitry Sinkovsky and Riccardo Minasi. That in A minor, RV523, is one of the best. Vivaldi wrote 28 double concertos for two violins (some of which are incomplete). The B minor concerto is one of the collection’s better known numbers, weaving together four violin lines.ĩ. The Four Seasons are part of a 12-concerto set entitled Il cimento dell’armonia e dell’inventione (The Contest Between Harmony and Invention), but of other collections L’estro armonico (The Harmonic Inspiration) is packed with great music, and not all for solo violin. Vivaldi published several collections of concertos. Concerto for 4 violins and cello in B minor, RV580 She’s also recorded a fine disc of double concertos with Carmignola that I couldn’t quite squeeze into this playlist.Ĩ. Her playing is superb and this G minor concerto really packs a theatrical punch, part of an excellent disc entitled Teatro alla moda. The exuberant horns in this F major concerto are irresistible.Īmandine Beyer is one of my discoveries during this odyssey. This concerto is from a terrific disc by French ensemble Les Ambassadeurs of works written for the Dresden Hofkapelle or adapted by Vivaldi’s pupil Johann Georg Pisendel to encompass the orchestra’s expanded wind forces. Concerto for Violin, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, 2 Horns in F major, RV569 The Largo employs long cantabile lines, while the finale uses plenty of dramatic quasi-percussive effects in Dmitry Sinkovsky’s excellent account.Ħ. The stormy first movement may sound familiar, as it was used in the sinfonia to Vivaldi’s opera L’Olimpiade. This late C major violin concerto is packed with drama. The close recording adds a touch of grit to proceedings. I knew this double concerto reasonably well, an engaging dialogue for two cellos, but was bowled over by Ophélie Gaillard’s recent disc with Atsushki Sakai and the Pulcinella Orchestra. ![]() Luca Pianca and Il Giardino Armonico give a zesty performance here, the very recording that, back in the 1990s, fuelled my love for this repertoire and demonstrated how Italian period instrument bands would become a force to be reckoned with.Ĥ. This one is quite well known, rightly nabbed by generations of guitarists. Listen to the aggression in the opening Allegro to this D minor concerto, or the sad lament in the Larghetto. Sergio Azzolini has recorded most of them and his playing simply dazzles. It’s had some great recent recordings (notably Alessandro Tampieri) but Giuliano Carmignola and the Venice Baroque Orchestra are outstanding.įar from being the clown of the orchestra, Vivaldi treated the bassoon seriously and notched up 39 concertos for the instrument. When I last visited, it was December and a fog shrouded much of the Piazza San Marco, creating a sinister atmosphere which suits this late E minor violin concerto. Venice isn’t all about jollity and carnival. My only criteria were “no nicknames”, to encourage people to listen beyond the ubiquitous Four Seasons, and being able to locate suitably excellent performances. Working – and walking – my way through nearly 500 Vivaldi concertos during lockdown, I’ve whittled them down to a “top ten” playlist of my favourites.
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