Customer Reviews

Il Giardino Armonico ~ Musica Barocca

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Conducted by Giovanni Antonini, the Il Giardino Armonico proves to be one of the finest early instrument ensembles playing today. The thirty member ensemble, each member sufficiently accomplished to act as occasional soloist, is now some twenty years old and they play with a sensitivity to each other that is the hallmark of fine chamber ensembles. They are a delight and the recording is of very high caliber in technology.

Included on this generous CD are JS Bach's 'Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major' (one of the true highlights of this performance), Albinoni's 'Concerto a cinque, for oboe, 2 violins, viola, cello & continuo No. 2 in D minor', Vivaldi's 'Piccolo Concerto, for piccolo, strings & continuo in C major', Albinoni's famous 'Adagio for violin, strings & organ in G minor, Marcello's 'Concerto for oboe, strings & continuo in D minor, Telemann's 'Concerto for 2 flutes, calchedon , strings and continuo in E minor, Pachelbel's ubiquitous 'Canon and gigue, for 3 violins & continuo in D major', Purcell's 'Chaconne for harpsichord in G minor', one of the most satisfying performances of Handel's 'Arrival of the Queen of Sheba' from 'Solomon' (another reason for owning this CD!), and an elegant 'Improvised Variations on Greensleeves, for lute composed and performed by Luca Pianca.

If ever there were a recording meant to accompany an afternoon picnic in Arcadia then this is it. Highly Recommended on every level. Grady Harp, June 06

With eleven Baroque composers on this beautifully played CD, Il Giardino Armonica gives us a broad taste of some popular pieces and some less well-known from the period. The flavor changes often - but how else can one get to taste everything !