Customer Reviews

Torelli: Concertos

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

 

 

Torelli: Concertos

Giuseppe Torelli was born in Verona in 1658, the same year as Pachelbel, 5 years after Corelli, and 11 before Albinoni. He moved to Bologna, an important centre of music at the time, in the early 1680s. His opus 8, some of which we hear on this CD, was published in 1709, just after his death. Opus 8 was a set of 12 violin concertos, 6 for one violin and 6 for 2 violins; here we hear 3 for one violin, and 4 for 2 violins.
They are in a similar style to Albinoni's later works, they are for orchestra with violin, rather than for virtuoso soloist with accompaning orchestra, the soloist(s) emerge from the strings. This is not to infer that they are simple works, they require highly skilled performers. Simon Standage and Catherine Weiss play superbly, well assisted by Collegium Musicum 90, on period instruments. The forces used are typical, 8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, 2 bass violins ( larger than a cello but with the same pitch), chamber organ and theorbo.
These are increased for the highlight of the disc, 3 trumpet concertos, by adding 2 violins, 4 violas, 2 double bass and 1 or 2 trumpets. These trumpet concertos are beautifully played, again they are for orchestra with trumpet(s), the balance between orchestra and soloist(s) is just right.
This is an excellent recording, Torelli wrote many works for trumpet, I hope to hear more of the from Collegiim Musicum 90.

If you ever like Vivaldi, i suggest that you should try Torelli, he is a earlier composer comparied than Vivaldi, but he shows more mature concerto style. Besides, there is a also good acoustics on this cd, so in sum, I suggest that you should put it to your collection.

Before JS Bach, Vivaldi and Corelli's compositions were known; Torelli was composing concertos for various instruments. In this full (76 minutes) Chandos recording are some fine examples of Torelli's concertos for 1 and 2 violins and for 1 and 2 trumpets. The compositions are 3 movements long consisting, per usual, of 2 fast and one slow. Listening to these works, as played so wonderfully by Simon Standage and the Collegium Musicum, gave me great listening enjoyment.

Simon Standage and the Collegium Musicum really play these Torelli compositions superbly with nary a harsh tone just beautiful early Baroque music. Please be aware that Standage and the Collegium are NOT from the "churn it out" and the "sewing machine" school of playing Baroque music. If anything the sound they produce is rather mellow. Don't misunderstand me, there are loads of virtuosity displayed in the fast movements and plenty of "feeling" in the slow; however, all is delivered most beautifully.

As I expected Chandos recorded sound is very rich, clear and full. Therefore, if you want to hear some good early Baroque music that is performed in a most lovely manner, buy this disc.

The recording quality is excellent. The music is superb. The sound of the strings is deep and rich at times, subtle and lively as well. Absolutely fantastic.

If you are a fan ov barroque classical or Vivaldi this is a must get.