Vivaldi: Concertos for Two Violins

Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Andrea Marcon (Conductor), Venice Baroque Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Venice Baroque Orchestra
• Conductor: Andrea Marcon
• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
• Audio CD (November 11, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Archiv Produktion
• ASIN: B0019RQTUS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,542 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Chicago Tribune

Viktoria Mullova is "the most elegant, refined and sweetly expressive violinist on the planet."

Giuliano Carmignola is "a prince among baroque violinists."

Product Description

Two of today's most charismatic and original violinists join forces for an all-new album of Vivaldi double concertos. This exciting repertory is given new life and energy by the two thrilling musicians. Giuliano Carmignola's last Vivaldi album of unrecorded violin concertos, released in 2006, went on to become a sparkling success. He continues to give revealing performances of Vivaldi that are both viscerally exciting and musically adventurous. As in previous releases, Carmignola is joined by Andrea Marcon and the Venice Baroque Orchestra--one of the finest Baroque ensembles performing today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Double Violin Concerti, January 15, 2009

By 

Andrew Judkins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vivaldi: Concertos for Two Violins (Audio CD)

When Giuliano Carmignola jumped labels from Sony to Deutsche Grammophon it was a great day for Vivaldi and classical music in general. Although Carmignola's Sony era performances are nearly as good as his current playing, the engineering of the recordings dragged them down. Detsche Grammophon, on the other hand, puts you in the front row of a live performance with their engineering. This CD of works for two violins is Carmignola's best yet as far as sound quality goes.
Among his many inventions, Vivaldi developed a double concerto, which was basically an offshoot of his virtuosic take on the solo concerto form, rather than a streamlined version of the Corelli concerto grosso. These works present the same challenges and expressive possibilities of his solo concertos. Vivaldi is not interested in weaving complex textures in these works, but has rather simple and noble goals of keeping both violinists busy and sounding good. That might sound silly, but that is what Vivaldi values more than a lot of composers--sounding good, tickling the human ear with pleasures. For this reason Vivaldi uses lots of parallel 3rds which sparkle more than any interval in high register. This is also why there are so many canon passages. The double concerto format works out great for Vivaldi. These works are expressive, entertaining and virtuosic delights. However, it is a little harder to listen to many of these works in a row, as compared to solo concerti, because the texture is more limited. There are great conversations between soloists, but each soloist has to wait his turn, which slows the journey of the music and limits Vivaldi's spontaneity some. But they payoff in felicitous harmony, imitations and chasing canons is a worthwhile departure.
This disc includes six excellent works, probably all from the 1720's and 30's. The G major concerto is a ruckus of joy with hints of rustic elements. The virtuosity of this work is very impressive. It has an unusual slow movement that is quite pensive. Vivaldi arranged this work as a duo sonata with optional bass. Legend has it that Vivaldi and his father preformed these duos together. The D major concerto is the most festive work on this disc, and is also busting at the seams. Vivaldi finds moments of reflection and spontaneity within the hedonism. The D minor concerto is much more down to earth. It is in the tone of something more northern and severe with virtuosity subdued a bit to fit the somber tone. The B flat major concerto is perhaps the perfect mix of the lyrical and the lively, and is one of Vivaldi's best works. The appealing opening melodic sequence of the 1st movement will stick in your head for life. The slow movement is an oddly hypnotic masterpiece. The C minor is on the fence between anger and sadness with dashes of violence, dotting glassy lakes of lyricism. The A minor concerto is an accomplished and slightly puzzling work that brings to mind a pumped-up version of L'estro Armonico concerti. This work is destined to become a Vivaldi classic as people become familiar with it.
This disc is a must have for any classical music lover. Both Mullova and Carmignola are on the top of their games as is the Venice Baroque Orchestra, which sounds better than ever. However, this recording is not a personality contest between two of the great violinists of our day, rather it is cooperation toward a wall of heavenly sound.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rarely performed Vivaldi Concertos done with PIZZAZZ!, March 7, 2009

By 

Giradman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vivaldi: Concertos for Two Violins (Audio CD)

Currently, there are two excellent 5* reviews of this recording and a 3* recording which is hard to understand - I'm not going to repeat the superlative comments made already by the two reviewers who seem to really appreciative the performances of these two phenomenal experienced period Baroque violinists. But, just for another excellent review, check out the comments on MusicWeb International:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Mar09/Vivaldi_Mullova_4777466.htm

Not sure that I like the new 'spiky doo' on Mullova (compared to some older recordings of her that I own), but hey I'm just listening! If you're a Vivaldi fan, this disc should be at least heard if not purchased.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a delicious match, June 25, 2010

By 

Dale (St Louis) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vivaldi: Concertos for Two Violins (Audio CD)

I recently acquired this recording. Each time I listen to it I enjoy it more. It is not possible to fully appreciate it in one sitting. I have quite a few Vivaldi recordings but this one is quickly moving nearer to the top of my favorites. Carmignola and Mullova complement each other very well.