About this release
Stravinsky famously quipped that Vivaldi didn't write 400 concertos, rather he wrote one concerto 400
times. Rather unfair, though witty. For many people though, Vivaldi is the composer of The Four Seasons
(the first four of the twelve concertos Op.8), and maybe the famous Gloria. He is a composer who repays closer attention. There are some superb concertos in his large output, and some of them were sufficiently striking enough to attract the attention of J.S. Bach and Johann Quantz. His concertos are remarkable not only for the wealth of invention and the outstanding quality of the music, but also for the amazing range of instruments he wrote for. This CD is devoted to concertos for sopranino and alto recorders. Two of his greatest concertos 'Tempesta di mare' (Storm at Sea) and 'La notte' (Night) feature on the programme.
Further information
- New recording made in January 2009
- Booklet notes with fascinating contemporary accounts of Vivaldi, including extracts from his letters
- Erik Bosgraaf has led a colourful musical career -- from rock musician, to oboist, then virtuoso
recorder-player. In 2007 Frans Bruggen invited him to perform Bach's Actus Tragicus at the
Concertgebouw.
- In 2009 he was awarded the prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust award.