Zelenka vs. Vivaldi

[Bulldog]

I started listening to both composers' music in the mid 1980's.  I still reguarly listen to Zelenka, but stopped listening to Vivaldi in the mid 1980's except for some radio play on the local classical radio stations in Albuquerque and Louisville.  Advantage goes to Zelenka.

[Mirror Image]

I like both composers, but Vivaldi wins for me. I simply adore his concerti with L'Estro Armonico being my favorite set of concerti. I simply prefer Italian and French Baroque music over all others with an honorable mention going to Corelli, Rameau, Locatelli, and Scarlatti (father and son).

[Bulldog]

I like both composers, but Vivaldi wins for me. I simply adore his concerti with L'Estro Armonico being my favorite set of concerti. I simply prefer Italian and French Baroque music over all others with an honorable mention going to Corelli, Rameau, Locatelli, and Scarlatti (father and son).

Very good.  For me, German Baroque tops the list, then French.  The Italians are way behind (except for D. Scarlatti).

[FideLeo]

Zelenka wrote so little instrumental music (good stuff though) - as a composer Vivaldi was quite a bit more versatile.  I thought Telemann would make a better comparison with Vivaldi, if stylistically less accessible to a modern audience.

[Bulldog]

Zelenka wrote so little instrumental music (good stuff though) - as a composer Vivaldi was quite a bit more versatile.  I thought Telemann would make a better comparison with Vivaldi, if stylistically less accessible to a modern audience.

I'm not a big fan of versatility, but feel free to start your own Telemann/Vivaldi poll. 

[Mirror Image]

Very good.  For me, German Baroque tops the list, then French.  The Italians are way behind (except for D. Scarlatti).

The Italians may have been "way behind" as you say, but this doesn't make their music an less enjoyable in my opinion.

[PaulSC]

Vivaldi's main fault is his ubiquity. It's tempting to say Zelenka's main virtue is his relative obscurity, but he deserves better than that. At any rate, Vivaldi is an easy choice for me.

[Bulldog]

The Italians may have been "way behind" as you say, but this doesn't make their music an less enjoyable in my opinion.

I was only talking about "way behind" concerning my level of pleasure from Italian baroque music.