Customer Reviews

Vivaldi - Gloria · Magnificat / Biccirè · Mingardo · York · Concerto Italiano

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You can find another set of this extraordanary record/music for a lesser price here at Amazon. It IS EXACTLY the same set/record but it has another frontpicture but that one is a special disc with a bonus CD from Opus 111 and my suggestion, if you dont like to pay extra is that you seek for Alessandrini Gloria... the number of that one is OPS 1951... a superb disc.

I fell victim to the plugs at amazon.com and bought this CD on my first shopping trip. Vivaldi's Gloria has a particular resonance in our family, and I have at least 2 recordings of it already so that I can sing along. This version is quite extraordinary. Alessandrini has gone in with his own ideas, without sticking to what we expect to hear in this work, even in versions using instruments of the period. His approach is avowedly operatic, and that really does work. The opening movement rushes in, as if continuing a drama from somewhere "off-stage", but nowhere does it sound out of place. There are other illuminations, such as the sweeping lyricism of the "Domine Fili" or the tempo relationships at "suscipe". Sometimes it does not workfor example at "Domine Deus", where the alto soloist is stretched to keep the line going. Also, what happened to the obbligato oboe we are all used to in "Domine Deus"? The soloists are good, particularly Deborah York, whose expertise in this repertoire is well-known. All in all, a version you have to experience. Having said all that, the "Magnificat" is not quite such a thrilling experience, which perhaps says more about the music than the performers, who bring the same level of enterprise as earlier.

Rinaldo Alessandrini's rendition of Vivaldi's "Gloria" and "Magnificat" have gotten uniformly top notch rankings in the musical press. Publications from Third Ear Classical Music to The Penguin Guide to The Rough Guide to Classical Music have all singled out this performance among the very best current recordings of the inimitable "Gloria".

Alessandrini and his Italian instrumentalists are period performers that manage to avoid the dogmatic pursuits of that sytle that render music unlistenable and alienate traditionalists. Perhaps the most obvious example of this is Sara Mingardo's solo work in the "Domine Deus, Agnus Dei" section on track 8. Her work has more exrpessiveness and color than are typical in period performances. In addtion, Mingardo and the other soloists -- including the outstanding Deborah York -- are use vibrato to welcome and good outcomes in this music and in the equally glorious "Magnificat".

In a mixed blessing, Alessandrini is antipendantic by adopting speeds that shatter typicality. His tempo in the opening "Glroia in excelsis Deo" is lightning quick with his forces -- players and singers -- with him every step of the way. Their elocution is outstanding. On the other hand, his tempo for the closing "Cum Sancto Spiritu" section is slower than the norm and, if you will, more spiritual.

The concerti that fill gaps after the choral works -- RV 128 for strings and the better known RV 563 for trumpets -- are done in the relaxed manner of the "Gloria" finale. With outstanding singing in the strongly felt "Magnificat", this recording can rank with any Vivaldi recording anywhere. The Red Priest may have written 500 concertos and 200 vocal works in his time, but the four included on this CD are performed well.

Maestro Rinado Alessandrini just bursts in joy in this most joyous of Glorias. Don't be put off by the fast speeds, they have a reason and an organic logic. This recording is so beautiful and so exciting, that other recordings like Parrott's or Pinnock's just seem cartoons next to this. Don't miss the gorgeous young contralto Sara Mingardo in the solos. OPUS111 as usual frame this performance in superb sound and presentation. What a great label this is!

Those here before me say it clear about this magnificent CD -
about the greatness of the works and the performance (and you can add to it the excellent recording).
This music is so beautiful, that there are moments, especially in the Gloria, where i felt that it is too much for me. So beautiful!

This ids not the Best Recording of Gloria. Trevor pinnock on Archiv is MUCH better realesed in 1993. This Gloria is too fast for me. I have tis to, but I prefer Trevor Pinnock with The english Concert & Choir. The choir count 17. singer. In this are there more. I don't agree with other rewiewer. This is NOT the best Gloria, different Yes, but NOT best!!!!! Listen to Prevor pinnocks recording and you shall see............... I AM A BIG FAN OF BAROQUE..........................