Customer Reviews

The Best of Vivaldi

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This isn't a bad CD, and it serves as a useful introduction to the style of Vivaldi. However, there is one less than ideal concerto on this disc, namely the concerto for 'flautino'. Musicologists now agree that the instrument in question is the sopranino recorder (see the very good Naxos recording of Vivaldi's recorder concertos). However, here it is played on the piccolo. I imagine some people like this instrument, and I think it does have its place in the orchestra for ornaments and flourishes. However, I find it nauseating as a solo instrument. In addition, the tempo is way too fast and Jiri Stivins took some very non-baroque liberties in his ornamentation. It is a shame since I like this concerto.

Whatever problems there are with the Flautino concerto are made up for by the trumpet concerto and especially the cello concerto, which is very dark for Vivaldi. The others are also good, so this really makes a good introduction to Vivaldi (if you ignore the piccolo).

This is an exciting album that showcases a relatively small collection of Vivaldi's MASSIVE output. At the last count, there were something like over 600 concertos to his name!! Given this, I believe that Naxos has done a brilliant job of compiling this album, choosing works of astonishing variety and excitement.

I assure you that you will never tire of this album. I have owned it for many years now, and I still listen to it regularly. It has provided many, many hours of listening pleasure, and it would be a crime to give the recording anything less than a solid 5 out of 5.

like all Naxos CD's, this one is also real avg !

Naxos fans need to get out more ! ... and get to know the BPO !

Bought this for my husband for his birthday and he is thoroughly enjoying it. Nice varied selection of concertos with good mastering.