Vivaldi: Music for Lute and Mandolin [Import]

Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Parley of Instruments (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Parley of Instruments
• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
• Audio CD (November 11, 1993)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000002ZI4
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,155 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Concerto In G Major, RV532: Allegro

2. Concerto In G Major, RV532: Andante

3. Concerto In G Major, RV532: Allegro

4. Trio In G Minor, RV85: Andante Molto

5. Trio In G Minor, RV85: Larghetto

6. Trio In G Minor, RV85: Allegro

7. Concerto In C Major, RV425: Allegro

8. Concerto In C Major, RV425: Largo

9. Concerto In C Major, RV425: Allegro

10. Concerto In D Major, RV93: (Allegro)

11. Concerto In D Major, RV93: Largo

12. Concerto In D Major, RV93: Allegro

13. Trio In C Major, RV82: Allegro non Molto

14. Trio In C Major, RV82: Larghetto

15. Trio In C Major, RV82: Allegro

16. Concerto In D minor, RV540: Allegro

17. Concerto In D minor, RV540: Largo

18. Concerto In D minor, RV540: Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivaldi Gentle, Tuneful and Precise., March 9, 2011

By 

David J. Friedlander "Play it with heart" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: Music for Lute and Mandolin (Audio CD)

Anyone who has even the slightest contact with classical music has heard Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Given that introduction, one would naturally have expectations regarding how Vivaldi's other music will sound. Even a luminary such as Stravinsky groaned about the sameness of Vivaldi's compositional method, making a statement that intimated Vivaldi wrote the same concerto 500 times. Granted Vivaldi had his own style and I'll even concede that among Baroque composers, his music is among the most recognizable. If the purpose of this CD was only to disprove Stravinsky, then mission clearly accomplished on that score.

Actually Vivaldi is among the most prolific of well known composers. His immense body of surviving works include hundreds of concertos, dozens of chamber works, enough sacred music to fill nearly a dozen CDs, operas, cantatas and more. Not all his music survives, so we aren't even sure of the total range of his oeuvre. His concertos and smaller chamber works were written for a wide variety of instruments and he was a learned enough composer to write idiomatically and to the strengths of each one. He is most known for his concertos for violin and various combinations of the bowed string family. Yet he wrote a set of concertos for flute (Opus 10), and several excellent examples for multiple combinations including horns, woodwinds and the plucked family. So it is the plucked (and strummed) instruments that Vivaldi took on here.

When we say a composer writes 'idiomatically' for an instrument, it implies that he understands the sound, limitations of range and volume, and the qualities of tone that are unique to it. Even more crucial is if the composer actually knows how to play the instruments they write for. Anecdotally it appears Vivaldi knew how to play many different instruments and guitar or lute seem to be among these. How accomplished he may have been is uncertain but the way he handles the lines and balances the supporting instruments illustrates a very advanced understanding of the strengths and limitations of the guitar, lute and mandolin. This is where the overall gentleness of sound originates from on this recording. Vivaldi uses a sparse construct to support the solo instruments and does so in a charming and expert manner. This is the reason for the introductary paragraphs here because the resultant sonorities on this recording are unlike 'usual' Vivaldi. Remarkably his signature style is still quite discernable and this is a credit to his unwavering instinct to be true to his own vision, no matter what means are available to him. Neither composer or performing artist is compromised and considering the slightness of sound one is faced with here, this is no small feat.

As to the performance of the musicians on this CD, it is flawless from beginning to end. The supporting musicians give sensitive interpretation and set a background that blends perfectly with soloist. We have to give great credit to the engineer Antony Howell and recording producer Martin Compton for such exemplary work. It can be quite problemmatic to find a proper balance with accoustic guitar, lute or mandolin and an orchestra. It boggles the mind to wonder how everyone is able to hear well enough to play with such assurance and get such pleasing effects. Paul O'Dette is always well received and praised for his solo work and this is another clear example why. He not only gets the notes right, his phrasing is highly musical and natural so that the thematic lines can speak with eloquence and clarity while never sounding studied or stilted.

This is not going to bowl anyone over. Understand this is delicate music and the counterpoint and constructs involve much subtlety. To be fair, one needs to give repeated hearings of this music to allow it to adequately sink in. It will grow on you as you adjust to the somewhat atypical sonorities and you have to remember this isn't going to be symphonic. If you set your expectations more to a chamber music sensibility, then you will be in the proper listening frame. The order of the different works seems to have been carefully considered to give best advantage to the listener. There are only 3 different tonic notes, G, C and D for all 6 pieces. There are mode changes between major and minor but when you have 3 closely related keys, psychologically this can wear on the listener, even if they aren't consciously aware of key variances. Studies have shown that music in the same key over a long period can dull a listener's perception. Not to worry here because this was taken into consideration and the keys are placed just to avoid this result. The pieces go from G major to g minor, C major, D major, C major and finally d minor. Thus, the ear is allowed to reset for each piece and experience maximum enjoyment. This is a fine album of Vivaldi, showing his most gentle side and done with great care, style, intelligence and vituousity. Enjoy another side of this great composer. Definitely recommended without reservation.

3.0 out of 5 stars Get the Seville Concert by John Williams instead..., February 22, 2011

By 

S. Lu "sensiblefootwear" (RED CANADA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: Music for Lute and Mandolin (Audio CD)

if you want to hear Concerto for Lute in D Major the way it should be played. As I can recall I sought out another version of the D major concerto as I was displeased with the superfluous instrumentation (authentic as it may be) on this disc--especially on the renowned RV 93 section. Williams plays this part cleanly and brightly, without cloying strings in the background.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great album, peppy music, December 26, 2010

By 

Rao (Santa Fe, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vivaldi: Music for Lute and Mandolin (Audio CD)

This is a very nice album with perhaps lesser known pieces of Vivaldi. The music here is mostly Allegro (fast) and performed very well. The presence of the mandolin in the pieces makes it very pleasing.