Customer Reviews

Concerti Grossi

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

 

 

I much prefer the two Naxos-label recordings of Geminiani's Concerti Grossi. This recording seems a little slow and less inspired. But this one has Opus 2, 3, and 4, while Naxos has 2, 3, and 7.

These are highly consistant, sympathetic performances of Geminiani's Concerti Grossi. The sound is just a bit on the thin side but overall this is hardly noticible. The playing brings a sympathetic portrait of this very polished Baroque composer. Geminiani is not predictable but his music does have that sense of correctness that brings Corelli to mind. This is with good reason because Geminiani was a student of Corelli's and set many of his teacher's works in versions that have added parts. There is no doubt teacher had a profound effect on the style of the student. If you are familiar with Corelli's works, that will give you a strong basis for feeling familiar with these works. I think for the money this is a practically indespensible survey of the concerti grossi. The majority of them are on these CDs, which cover opus 2, 3, and 4 in total. I am tempted to give this 5 stars but in all honesty, there are recordings that shake the earth or chill your spine and I can't really say that about either Geminiani's music or the playing here. Having said that, this is very pleasing music that is restful, logical and correctly written with faultless counterpoint and voicing of instruments. The performance is very clean, sensitive and pointed to the style and voice of the composer. It is more than well worth the price.