Viva Vivaldi!

[FideLeo]

On another note: this is one of my first "out of the ordinary" Vivaldi discs.
Still nice, but in retrospect it could do with a bit higher voltage.



Any recommendations for a recording with a bit more spice?
(Especially the opus 1/XII "La Folia" (RV 63))

I remember Giardino armonico has this "Folia" in their "Famosi concerti da camera" album,
and it is a flabbergastingly volatile performance. 

[Que]

Another recommendation - Sheer delight. The Orchestra Barocca Zefiro, with eminent instumentalists like clarinetist Erich Hoeprich and violinist Stefano Montanari, sounds full of character. Especially gorgeous woodwinds!

SAMPLES HERE

Q

Concerto for 2 clarinets, 2 oboes, strings & continuo in C major, RV 559
Bassoon Concerto, for bassoon, strings & continuo in A minor, RV 497
Concerto for 2 violins, 2 recorders, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings & continuo in D minor, RV 566
Double Oboe Concerto for 2 oboes, strings & continuo in C major, RV 534
Double Concerto, for violin & oboe, strings & continuo in B flat major, RV 548
Oboe Concerto, for oboe, strings & continuo in D minor, Op. 8/9, RV 454
Concerto for 2 clarinets, 2 oboes, strings & continuo in C major, RV 560

Performed by Orchestra Barocca Zefiro
with Alfredo Bernardini

[karlhenning]

Ritornello is a formal term, for a passage which comes back repeatedly, and which, in the case of a concerto grosso Allegro, is generally going to be played by the accompanying ensemble.

[bhodges]

One of my favorites is this extremely fast recording of the Gloria by Alessandrini.  One friend pointed out passages that sound like a banjo has somehow crept into the instrumental mix. 

--Bruce

[Gurn Blanston]

Ritornello is a formal term, for a passage which comes back repeatedly, and which, in the case of a concerto grosso Allegro, is generally going to be played by the accompanying ensemble.

That's the way I understand it...

[FideLeo]

Ritornello is a formal term, for a passage which comes back repeatedly, and which, in the case of a concerto grosso Allegro, is generally going to be played by the accompanying ensemble.

Retornelli also appear in slow movements - Bach comes to mind - and in baroque opera arias since Monteverdi's days!  As I stated above, the accompanying ensemble is called the repieno or simply concerto grosso.

[FideLeo]

Vivaldi's double and triple concertos are often more fun to listen than his solo concertos, and here's a proof. 

[SimonGodders]

Some recommendations on basic Vivaldi repertoire.

Ideal starters' kit: cheap and beautiful (3 CD).

My starter kit arrived today - bargain!

[George]

My starter kit arrived today - bargain!

He's an incredible violinist, I must keep my eye out for that one! 

[George]

Got this one yesterday!

[Gurn Blanston]

I like that one, George, I think you will too. Although I must say, the decision to make an entire work into a single track only adds to its uniqueness... IOW, not sure I like the idea, but what the heck, it listens the same and that's what counts.

[George]

I like that one, George, I think you will too. Although I must say, the decision to make an entire work into a single track only adds to its uniqueness... IOW, not sure I like the idea, but what the heck, it listens the same and that's what counts.

Yes I am enjoying it as we speak. Nice recording and performance. I like the energy here. I am sure Que will approve as well. 

[Bunny]

Got this one yesterday!

That's a good one, and also included in the Anner Bijlsma Anniversary Edition box set.

[FideLeo]

ANOTHER recording of Vivaldi's beautiful cello sonatas:



Given the quality of these cello sonatas, it is regrettable that Prete Rosso never seemed to have written any sonata for the bassoon since it would have been great music as well.

[Gurn Blanston]

Given the quality of these cello sonatas, it is regrettable that Prete Rosso never seemed to have written any sonata for the bassoon since it would have been great music as well.

Certainly agree with that. In fact, I think it is regrettable that so few composers in general composed sonatas for bassoon. Even though bassoonists can play cello sonatas, they lack the idiom of a true bassoon work...

[FideLeo]

Certainly agree with that. In fact, I think it is regrettable that so few composers in general composed sonatas for bassoon. Even though bassoonists can play cello sonatas, they lack the idiom of a true bassoon work...

Yes...and sometimes bad arrangements are a pain to play 



Back to Vivaldi and cello, I do think Wispelwey bettered his teacher (Bijsma) in Vivaldi concertos.  Also, it is as if Wispelwey wasn't entirely happy with the existing cello concertos; he had several single-movements from violin concertos arranged to be played on the cello in this recording.  Very convincing results imo.  The outstanding continuo work, which is a trademark of the ensemble Florilegium, works wonder here as time and again it enhances the deep-voiced sonorities of the solo instrument.  Channel Classics offers, as usual, first-rate sound engineering.

[George]

Back to Vivaldi and cello, I do think Wispelwey bettered his teacher (Bijsma) in Vivaldi concertos.  Also, it is as if Wispelwey wasn't entirely happy with the existing cello concertos; he had several single-movements from violin concertos arranged to be played on the cello in this recording.  Very convincing results imo.  The outstanding continuo work, which is a trademark of the ensemble Florilegium, works wonder here as time and again it enhances the deep-throated sonorities of the solo instrument.  Channel Classics offers, as usual, first-rate sound engineering.

I am not surprised to hear that. I think I might even like Wispelwey's way  with Bach Cello Suites more than Bylsma's.

[FideLeo]

I am not surprised to hear that. I think I might even like Wispelwey's way  with Bach Cello Suites more than Bylsma's.

Honestly I think there is more variety in Wispelwey's approach to just about anything I have heard where Bijsma also recorded an interpretation.  If that variety is of a desirable kind, though, will depend on the listener's taste.
For some people's temperament, "Wispelwey's way" can be a touch too animated.

[Grazioso]

[Que]

A recording of Vivaldi's Cello SONATAS:

It's raining recommendations of Vivaldi's cello sonatas! 
I sampled this one, the Coin/Hogwood and the Wispelwey and I was particularly impressed by this issue on Alpha.
Though, methodological buyer as I am, I noticed that neither has the complete sonatas (seems three were rediscovered a few years ago?). I've come across this new issue on Naïve and saw some positive comments on it.
Is this recording familiar to anyone? (And yes, I know that Ophélie looks charming - but please let's talk music... )


         Click picture for samples

Honestly I think there is more variety in Wispelwey's approach to just about anything I have heard where Bijlsma also recorded an interpretation.  If that variety is of a desirable kind, though, will depend on the listener's taste. For some people's temperament, "Wispelwey's way" can be a touch too animated.

I'm generally more a Bijlsma man!    IMO Wispelwey is sometimes prone to "big" gestures and then swoops over the nitty gritty of the music. But it depends: I prefer Wispelwey's Brahms sonatas to Bijlsma's for instance. I feel neither of them is a natural in Italian music btw.

Q