In view of Vivaldi’s immense popularity today, it’s astonishing to think that during the 19th century he was practically unknown. Thanks to our revived interest in J.S. Bach, who transcribed a number of his concertos
for use as formal models, the Italian has enjoyed a late resurgence and now stands as one of music’s most frequently performed composers.
This charming release explores Vivaldi’s cultivation of the chamber concerto – a form which, leading on from the concerto grosso as well as the composer’s adaptation of Torelli’s solo concerto, comprises a
group of soloists without orchestra. Featuring many a prominent role for wind instruments, Vivaldi’s works pit ritornello (group) textures against virtuosic soloists in order to bring out the timbre of the individual instruments. The former passages evidently draw on those used in the composer’s sonatas for three instruments – two of which are featured on this disc – and from the chaconne-based variations of RV107’s last movement to the rustic dance-like rhythm in the first movement of ‘La pastorella’, the set brims with invention.
That Bach drew on Vivaldi’s concertos for his own musical development shows just how important these works are. With acclaimed period ensemble Collegium Pro Musica’s sensitive performance providing a fascinating insight into how the music would have sounded in its own day, the compilation documents a significant stage in the history of instrumental music.
Other information:
- An important addition to the Brilliant Classics Vivaldi discography: a new recording of the complete Chamber Concertos.
- The Concerto da Camera is a concertante work in three movements, for a group of solo instruments, each excelling as a virtuoso in their “battle” (concertare) against the others.
- Superb period instruments performances by leading Italian musicians: Federico Guglielmo (violin), Stefano Bagliano (recorder) and Pierluigi Fabretti (oboe) play their hearts out in these exhilarating concertos by Red Priest Antonio Vivaldi.
- Liner notes in English and Italian.
