Vivaldi for Valentines: Romantic Interludes for the One You Love

Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Iona Brown (Conductor), Vittorio Negri (Conductor), Neville Marriner (Conductor), Henryk Szeryng (Conductor), I Musici (Performer, Orchestra), I Solisti delle Settimane Musicali di Napoli (Performer), English Chamber Orchestra (Performer), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra), Members of the Dresden Staatskapelle (Orchestra), Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: I Musici, I Solisti delle Settimane Musicali di Napoli, English Chamber Orchestra
• Orchestra: I Musici, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Members of the Dresden Staatskapelle, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Iona Brown, Vittorio Negri, Neville Marriner, Henryk Szeryng
• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
• Audio CD (January 23, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B0000041ER
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,956 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #55 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > Guitar
  • #65 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Reeds & Winds > Flute

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Another installment in Philips's Set Your Life to Music series (which has included Mozart for Your Mind, Baroque at Bathtime, and Rachmaninoff for Romance, among others), Vivaldi for Valentines is loosely built around the aura of romance that Venice continues to evoke. Vivaldi captured it for all time in his music, inspired by the often melancholy beauty of his native city, one that has been known through the ages as La Serenissima. Along with such ultrafamiliar pieces as the "Winter" largo movement from The Four Seasons (in which the violin sighs a rapturous melody against sounds imitating a crackling, cozy fire) and the Largo of the Guitar Concerto in D--Vivaldi's slow movements, with all their gentle dreaminess, being given the limelight in this compilation--are many gems you've likely not heard before. The list of performers and approaches is too expansive even to mention but predominantly features performances by I Musici. It's hard to believe that Vivaldi's music, having sunk into oblivion, resurfaced again only a few decades ago. This is a pleasant compilation that makes a perfect entrée if you'd like to learn more about classical music--and Vivaldi in particular--than The Four Season. And, as for setting a romantic mood, this will give your mojo all the help it needs. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heard "Four Seasons"? Want more? GET THIS!, March 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Vivaldi for Valentines: Romantic Interludes for the One You Love (Audio CD)

Almost everyone knows Vivaldi's "Four Seasons". If you love that gorgeous piece of music, than I say your next purchase should be this! It is a gorgeous collecton of string quartets along with flutes and very impressive classical guitar. I put it on whenever I need to be taken away from this world, or when I need some artistic inspiration.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just great!, July 9, 2000

By 

A. Maxham "Just trying to help..." - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi for Valentines: Romantic Interludes for the One You Love (Audio CD)

I don't really know a lot about classical music even though I listen to a lot of it. All I can say is that every piece on this collection evokes a tremendous amount of peace and happy emotion. I listen to it in my office, and that in combination with my new fountain.... better than Prozac. My favorite piece is "Concerto for Guitar in D major: Largo" (sample #2 above). Highly recommend!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More of Vivaldi's great music., August 23, 2001

By 

irmita "irmita" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vivaldi for Valentines: Romantic Interludes for the One You Love (Audio CD)

When it comes to Vivaldi's works, the majority of people usually tend to associate him solely with composing the Four Seasons. However, this particular cd will introduce classical music lovers to other music that he composed for various stringed instruments, including the violin and cello. It does include a section from Winter of the Four Seasons, but the rest is other music that some may not be too familiar with. For a low price, you'll be getting a great selection of music.