Vivaldi: L'estro Armonico

Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Neville Marriner (Conductor), Christopher Hogwood (Performer), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra), Colin Tilney (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Christopher Hogwood, Colin Tilney
• Orchestra: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
• Conductor: Neville Marriner
• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
• Audio CD (October 11, 1994)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000004245
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,021 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Reeds & Winds > Recorder
  • #16 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Reeds & Winds > Bassoon
  • #61 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Reeds & Winds > Oboe

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luminous, unaffected performance, September 9, 2001

By 

Mr. J. S. Stallick (Brighton, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: L'estro Armonico (Audio CD)

Reading the other reviewer's text I couldn't believe it was the same recording I listened to. I'm pretty critical where Baroque performance is concerned (I'm an ex-pro cellist) but I've always loved ASMF's L'Estro Armonico. It has tremendous atmosphere (recording acoustic helps) and luminosity. There is a lightness mostly throughout with beautiful solo contributions especially from Alan Loveday and Carmel Kaine (who also feature in Vivaldi's La Stravaganza with ASMF-a 'must-listen!'). The continuo especially is varied and always interesting. All in all it strikes a balance between Period instrument fanaticism and the sweet tone of a modern ensemble.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neville Marriner + Christopher Hogwood=Masterpiece of beauty, September 25, 2001

By 

J. Wong (Aberdeen, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: L'estro Armonico (Audio CD)

I "have" this album. My CD, which has worn out, was recorded with just Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music. I, too had read the first review of two years ago. After listening online to excerpts, I conclude that Hogwood greatly influenced this recording. This rendition is smooth, yet as exciting, if not more so, than the Four Seasons. This album goes with fine wine, a drive in the country or just to paper over the tedium/confusion of everyday living.

I must refute the first reviewer's claim that Biondi does a better job. That recording falls more into the category of schizophrenic, manic depressive disorder. It mixes erratic tempos with disturbingly enormous dynamic changes, e.g. from pianissimo to fortissimo like a bad imitator of Mahler (which is not as bad as it sounds). You feel neither relaxed nor excited about the music--Lord knows I've tried, having listened to Biondi many times hoping that I'd see the light--there is no light on that recording. Biondi's album makes you feel as if you've taken a ride on a carriage with a wild horse at the fore and you can barely keep it from running over a cliff and smashing you to bits--as if the ensemble wanted to finish the dang piece ASAP and get the heck outta Dodge. Maybe they had hot dates.

THIS album, I want to buy five copies of, so that if each lasts about five years, I'll have enough for 25 years.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DELIGHTFUL..... Can't be beat for the price..., July 11, 2006

By 

M. C. Colver "LittleMitchColver" (henderson, nv United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: L'estro Armonico (Audio CD)

This is an excellent set of these Vivaldi Concertos. You may read other reviews that bad-mouth the livlihood or tempo of these recordings, but heed them not...

In order to more fully understand the quality behind these recordings, it is neccessary to understand the dynamics of a basso continuo. Christopher Hogwood is hands-down the greatest mind behind authentic boroque keyboard continuo. He breathes life into these concertos, although he is just one player in the group. Buy them for Marriner and the Fields.... enjoy them for Hogwood's continuo.

PS> There is a 7CD box set put out by DECCA that has one of the best recordings of the Four Seasons I've ever heard. It includes these two CDs as part of the set. I definatley recommend it! "Neville Marriner, ASMF, Christopher Hoggwood, Iona Brown.... Four Seasons, La Cetra, etc."