Vivaldi Concerti
A pleasing collection of Vivaldi [concerto] concertos that allows the individual players of the OAE to take a share of the limelight
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi
Label: Linn Records
Magazine Review Date: 4/2001
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 74
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: CKD151
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Concerto for Cello and Strings |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer David Watkin, Cello Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment |
Chamber Concerto |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment |
Concerto for Oboe and Strings |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Anthony Robson, Oboe Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment |
Double Concerto for 2 Horns and Strings |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Andrew Clark, Horn Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Roger Montgomery, Horn |
Double Concerto for Viola d'amore, Lute and String |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Catherine Mackintosh, Viola Elizabeth Kenny, Lute Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment |
Concerto for Multiple Instruments |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment |
(6) Concerti for Flute and Strings, Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'La notte', RV439 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Lisa Beznosiuk, Flute Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment |
Concerto for Multiple Instruments, 'Il Proteo o si |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment |
Author: Lindsay Kemp
It is a nice idea for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment to record a disc of such varied Vivaldian fare. The young women of the orchestra which Vivaldi directed at the Ospedale della Pieta in Venice were as renowned for the range of instruments they could wield as for their virtuosity; so it seems neatly apposite that the OAE, so full of capable soloists itself, should use this music to celebrate its members’ own star qualities. And the mixture is a wide one: three solo concertos; a rare Concerto for two horns; the deservedly popular Concerto for lute and viola d’amore, two concertos for typically extravagant Vivaldian multiple line-ups; and one of those chamber concertos in which all the players are soloists.
The OAE play with great expertise and good taste throughout. Judging by the list in the booklet, they use a relatively large body of strings but, although this is noticable, there is no feeling of heaviness, and indeed the use of two double basses gives the sound a substantial foundation which is at the same time deliciously light on its feet. There is a total of 16 soloists listed, so I cannot mention them all, but among the highlights here were David Watkin’s habitually assured and intensely musical playing of the Cello Concerto; Lisa Beznosiuk, sensitive as ever in La Notte (though struggling a bit against the string sound); Andrew Clark and Roger Montgomery, treading securely and confidently through the Concerto for two horns; Anthony Robson, a little under the note sometimes but showing good breath control and phrasing in the Oboe Concerto; and a fairy-light performance of the Concerto for lute and viola d’amore from Elizabeth Kenny and Catherine Mackintosh.
The performances are all directorless, and there was the odd place where a guiding hand might have pepped things up (or stopped the theorbo from twiddling so much in the slow movement of the Cello Concerto), but in general this is a relaxed and convivial Vivaldi programme that one can simply sit back and enjoy.'
The OAE play with great expertise and good taste throughout. Judging by the list in the booklet, they use a relatively large body of strings but, although this is noticable, there is no feeling of heaviness, and indeed the use of two double basses gives the sound a substantial foundation which is at the same time deliciously light on its feet. There is a total of 16 soloists listed, so I cannot mention them all, but among the highlights here were David Watkin’s habitually assured and intensely musical playing of the Cello Concerto; Lisa Beznosiuk, sensitive as ever in La Notte (though struggling a bit against the string sound); Andrew Clark and Roger Montgomery, treading securely and confidently through the Concerto for two horns; Anthony Robson, a little under the note sometimes but showing good breath control and phrasing in the Oboe Concerto; and a fairy-light performance of the Concerto for lute and viola d’amore from Elizabeth Kenny and Catherine Mackintosh.
The performances are all directorless, and there was the odd place where a guiding hand might have pepped things up (or stopped the theorbo from twiddling so much in the slow movement of the Cello Concerto), but in general this is a relaxed and convivial Vivaldi programme that one can simply sit back and enjoy.'
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