Viva Vivaldi!

[Gurn Blanston]

I've finished "Con Moto" and it was a disappointment. Moving to "Late Concertos Vol II" right now.

"Concertos with strings" is not and has never been my priority with Vivaldi but when I listen to them I prefer Huggett, Wallfisch and Lamon. I want to see if GB could broaden my horizon.

I don't think he has the expressive genius of Biondi, but his skill as a player is unquestioned.

I'm not so much as fan of 'String Concertos' either, but I really do like this disk. I'll have to check out my others. I think I have Huggett (Raglan Players?) in this rep too.

[Gurn Blanston]

Weirdly I am not that into Carmignola as a Vivaldi player, or Biondi (so far—have queued up the Farewell Concertos for listening later though). I like Beyer's Teatro alla moda disc and Mullova's Onyx recording, but don't find either soloist totally satisfying, and I like Andrew Manze but don't find the Academy of Ancient Music totally satisfying. I also have a disc with Les Ambassadeurs & Zefira Valova which is quite good (but the music is also some of Vivaldi's most impressive concertos, written for the larger Dresden orchestra). I should listen to more Vivaldi in general though.

Not weird, I don't think. It is clearly a different style of playing from the traditional, and if it doesn't appeal it doesn't appeal. I think Biondi is brilliant, can't put it any other way. If you listen to his first '4 Seasons' on Opus 111  (not the later one on Virgin so much), his emulation of the special effects which Vivaldi wrote into the score is simply amazing. No one else comes close to it. Anyone can do a thunderstorm: a fly buzzing in your ear takes a special talent.

I take it this is the Mullova you were talking about? I recall liking it, but will re-listen this afternoon. Working with Antonini had to be a good thing for her!

I have never seen Les Ambassadeurs & Zefira Valova, I'll have a look around for it. I like the Dresden concertos in general.

[The One]

I don't think he has the expressive genius of Biondi, but his skill as a player is unquestioned.

I'm not so much as fan of 'String Concertos' either, but I really do like this disk. I'll have to check out my others. I think I have Huggett (Raglan Players?) in this rep too.

is this the half of naive 40014?

edit: no it is Opus111 OPS 2031. I have it with a whole different cover

[Gurn Blanston]

is this the half of naive 40014?

The Biondi?  No, it is from the 1990's, the original series they did on Opus 111, before that label and Naive joined forces. At some point Op 111 collected all the Biondi disks to date and re-released them with the original covers (which were generally very attractive).  I think everything on the Naive/Op 111 series are new recordings (although I'm no expert on them). 

[Gurn Blanston]

is this the half of naive 40014?

edit: no it is Opus111 OPS 2031. I have it with a whole different cover

Oh yes, very nice, I hadn't seen that cover before.

[The One]

I think Biondi is brilliant, can't put it any other way. If you listen to his first '4 Seasons' on Opus 111  (not the later one on Virgin so much), his emulation of the special effects which Vivaldi wrote into the score is simply amazing. No one else comes close to it.

I completely agree with you. That is the Four Seasons and that put Biondi on the map for me

[The One]

Oh yes, very nice, I hadn't seen that cover before.

You had to pay a special price to have it

[Gurn Blanston]

You had to pay a special price to have it

I completely agree with you. That is the Four Seasons and that put Biondi on the map for me

This is the one I have, same recording, once again a different cover although mine isn't the 'Arte di Fabio' edition:

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I have the Virgin one too, it is better than most, but version 1 is in a league of its own. FWIW, I'm not burned out on the 4S, so I can still listen to it happily and not be affected by that. 

[SonicMan46]

Guys - today, I've been trying to sort through my Vivaldi collection, particularly in regards to Fabio Biondi - presently, I own the 4 shown below (top), including two 2-CD sets, Op. 3 (L'estro armonico) & Op. 8 (Il cimento.....), which of course includes the 'Four Seasons' - attached are reviews of the latter two for those interested.  From the comments so far, Biondi's earlier recordings of the 'Four Seasons' seems to be a preference?

Also, I was perusing Amazon making pricing comparisons of Biondi's Opus 111 recordings and also came across an inexpensive 9-CD set put out my Erato (Warner) - the performances from 1997-2008 (last 2 pics below) - I'm assuming discs 1,2,4,5,9 in that box are the same recordings on Virgin that I showed initially - thanks for any comments.  Dave

     

 

[Gurn Blanston]

Guys - today, I've been trying to sort through my Vivaldi collection, particularly in regards to Fabio Biondi - presently, I own the 4 shown below (top), including two 2-CD sets, Op. 3 (L'estro armonico) & Op. 8 (Il cimento.....), which of course includes the 'Four Seasons' - attached are reviews of the latter two for those interested.  From the comments so far, Biondi's earlier recordings of the 'Four Seasons' seems to be a preference?

Also, I was perusing Amazon making pricing comparisons of Biondi's Opus 111 recordings and also came across an inexpensive 9-CD set put out my Erato (Warner) - the performances from 1997-2008 (last 2 pics below) - I'm assuming discs 1,2,4,5,9 in that box are the same recordings on Virgin that I showed initially - thanks for any comments.  Dave

     

 

Hey, Dave,
I do think that Erato box is just what you think it is. I am puzzled that they show Op 4 (La Stravaganza) as only 1 disk though, you can't fit 12 concertos on one disk!  I can't resolve that because it is the only disk in the box I don't already have, I got the Podger disk instead.  

The main part of the Opus 111 recordings are not Opus numbered ones, they are single concertos, with the exception of the 4 Seasons, which is on a disk with 2 unrelated concertos. As for whether the older or newer one is preferable, I can't say, except for myself. If you recall that old thread I led on those works years ago, that was the recording I used, and I kinda got to know it note for note, so it is comfortable for me. That said, I do think it is the best recording ever of those works, bar none. 

That Erato box is so inexpensive that I think you would find it cheaper than trying to fill in the blanks, just my 2 cents.

[SonicMan46]

Hey, Dave,
I do think that Erato box is just what you think it is. I am puzzled that they show Op 4 (La Stravaganza) as only 1 disk though, you can't fit 12 concertos on one disk!  I can't resolve that because it is the only disk in the box I don't already have, I got the Podger disk instead.  

The main part of the Opus 111 recordings are not Opus numbered ones, they are single concertos, with the exception of the 4 Seasons, which is on a disk with 2 unrelated concertos. As for whether the older or newer one is preferable, I can't say, except for myself. If you recall that old thread I led on those works years ago, that was the recording I used, and I kinda got to know it note for note, so it is comfortable for me. That said, I do think it is the best recording ever of those works, bar none. 

That Erato box is so inexpensive that I think you would find it cheaper than trying to fill in the blanks, just my 2 cents.

Yes, the single disc of Biondi's 'La Stravaganza' has just 6 of the 12 concertos - snippets quoted below from a MusicWeb review (the bolded statements are my additions).  As mentioned before, I already own 5 of the 9 discs in that box, plus I have 2 versions of Op. 4 including Podger, and several versions of the mandolin & viola d'amore works, so not much use to me BUT a great deal for those not owning much of this material.

Regarding the Opus 111 CDs of Biondi, I'll take another look on Amazon and back through the recent posts - going through my Vivaldi listings I have just the single Biondi recording of the 'Four Seasons' (thought that I had several!) - and I do remember the old forum discussions - thanks for your help.  Dave

Biondi and Europa Galante have here recorded the six concertos from Walsh's English edition of La Stravaganza. To increase the timing they have included a seventh score the Concerto for violin, cello and strings in F major, RV 544. Europa Galante is one of several outstanding specialist period instrument ensembles that have come to prominence on the early music scene in the last decade.

Europa Galante are in exhilarating form. With speeds feeling rather quick I would have preferred a little more restraint in the Allegros. For this reason the judiciously paced Podger accounts reign supreme. With regard to sound Europa Galante's pounding ground bass felt rather too far forward and in the Double Concerto, RV 544 the solo cello feels somewhat recessed. I wanted to hear more of the complete set and I am rather disappointed that Biondi chose not to record all twelve. Nevertheless, this is exciting music-making and the release is highly desirable.

[Gurn Blanston]

Yes, the single disc of Biondi's 'La Stravaganza' has just 6 of the 12 concertos - snippets quoted below from a MusicWeb review (the bolded statements are my additions).  As mentioned before, I already own 5 of the 9 discs in that box, plus I have 2 versions of Op. 4 including Podger, and several versions of the mandolin & viola d'amore works, so not much use to me BUT a great deal for those not owning much of this material.

Regarding the Opus 111 CDs of Biondi, I'll take another look on Amazon and back through the recent posts - going through my Vivaldi listings I have just the single Biondi recording of the 'Four Seasons' (thought that I had several!) - and I do remember the old forum discussions - thanks for your help.  Dave

I would love to see all of EG/Biondi's original Op 111 Vivaldi recordings in a box. I have several, but pretty sure not all of them.  And if they ARE out there, where?  BTW, I agree with that reviewer, the Podger Op 4 is excellently paced, she doesn't get carried away, but there is no hint of dragging anywhere either. I may look at her Opus 3 with Brecon Baroque.

[The One]

I'll write things soon , sorting out Biondi discs right now. I'm sure you are missing important ones, such as Manchester and Dresdens with Naddeo.
By the way, you don't need Biondi's La Stravaganza. Huggett, Podger and Wilkinson should do for anyone.

[Gurn Blanston]

I'll write things soon , sorting out Biondi discs right now. I'm sure you are missing important ones, such as Manchester and Dresdens with Naddeo.
By the way, you don't need Biondi's La Stravaganza. Huggett, Podger and Wilkinson should do for anyone.

Sounds good. I have 'Bazajet' BTW...

[The One]

9 is the number. These are what I deem good Vivaldi by Biondi.

[Gurn Blanston]

Nice list!  I will add the one below, as I know it is the Manchester Sonatas, while the sonatas disks you show don't appear to be the same ones, rather maybe they are Op 1??

The disk with the gold mask on the yellow costume is especially nice, one of my favorites and a good example of what I wrote earlier about a series of unrelated concertos. Also of cool covers.

[The One]

I will add the one below, as I know it is the Manchester Sonatas, while the sonatas disks you show don't appear to be the same ones, rather maybe they are Op 1??

My green (6th) and this one are the same 2-disc recordings.

I'm surprised how many Biondi Vivaldi's are not my favorites

[Gurn Blanston]

My green (6th) and this one are the same 2-disc recordings.

I'm surprised how many Biondi Vivaldi's are not my favorites

Oh, another case of different packaging. That stuff can irritate you when you are shopping...

Well, let's be honest, there are a heck of a lot of really great Vivaldi disks out there right now. This is a mini-Golden Age, IMO.

One I didn't list earlier was Sardelli (Modo Antiquo). Like these 2:

RV 820 is believed to be Vivaldi's first work. It is on that Young VIvaldi Sardelli disk.

[SonicMan46]

This afternoon I went to BRO to see what Vivaldi might be available that was of interest - only one Biondi Opus 111 CD which Gurn likes, so put in my cart; also wanted another Four Seasons w/ PIs - found a cheap 2-CD set w/ Enrico Casazza & La Magnifica Communita, a group I own in other works - was surprised by an outstanding Fanfare review (attached), so also added to my cart - found another handful of MDG CDs to balance out the shipping.  Dave

 

[Gurn Blanston]

This afternoon I went to BRO to see what Vivaldi might be available that was of interest - only one Biondi Opus 111 CD which Gurn likes, so put in my cart; also wanted another Four Seasons w/ PIs - found a cheap 2-CD set w/ Enrico Casazza & La Magnifica Communita, a group I own in other works - was surprised by an outstanding Fanfare review (attached), so also added to my cart - found another handful of MDG CDs to balance out the shipping.  Dave

 

I really like La Magnifica Communita in Boccherini, can't imagine they won't tear it up in Vivaldi!  Let me know, I might snap that up myself  (like I need it! ).  The Concertos for Strings are really very good, they are more like older style concerto grosso's, although they have Vivaldi's style attached.