I Musici Vivaldi

Klaus Thunemann has been the world's premiere solo bassoonist for the past three decades. His technical mastery of the instrument–he has the facilty of a violinist–is impressive in and of itself, but he brings so much more to these hard-to-find recordings of Vivaldi's elegant concerti.

Antonio Vivaldi - La Stravaganza - I Musici, Federico Agostini (1991) {2CD Philips 426 280 -2}
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© 1991 Philips Classics | 426 280 -2
Classical / Baroque / Concertos / Violin

La stravaganza was Vivaldi's second published set of concertos and was issued sometime between 1712 and 1715. In a characteristically interesting and informative note Michael Talbot explains that La stravaganza or ''Extravagance'' should be understood as wandering outside the boundaries of convention in respect both of melody and harmony. Unlike the earlier L'estro armonico (Op. 3), La stravaganza contains only concertos for solo violin though occasionally, as for example in the seventh concerto Vivaldi brings additional instruments to the fore. Perhaps the set is a little uneven in quality but the finest things here should fire the imagination and arouse the passions of most listeners.

Concerti (8) per violino? With a different title, this disc could do well. Why shouldn't it? In Salvatore Accardo, it has the best Italian violinist of the past 50 years. In I Musici, it has the best Italian chamber orchestra of the past 50 years. And, of course, in Antonio Vivaldi it has the most popular Italian composer of instrumental music of all time.

This well-balanced programme of Vivaldi concertos should have a wide appeal. Five of the seven works have descriptive or at least evocative subtitles; those without a picturesque mode of appellation are the concertos for one and two mandolins, slight pieces but which nevertheless unfailingly beguile the senses. Nigel Woodhouse and Sue Mossop bring as much expression to the music as their instruments allow, only occasionally failing to move in step where required in the Double Concerto. Tuttis in the finale, too, are a little ragged, but this playing has character and vitality to enliven the performances.

The artistry of Holliger (b1939) prompted Evelyn Rothwell (Lady Barbirolli) to call him 'The Paganini of the oboe' Holliger's mastery of the oboe ranges over a vast expanse of repertoire, from the baroque to contemporary – Bach to Berio and Zelenka to Zimmermann. His style is notable for its flexibility, agility, integrity and ability to communicate convincingly across the wide range of repertoire he performs. Holliger has done much to champion the oboe music of composers such as Zelenka and Krommer, and has also had over 100 works composed for him by composers including Berio, Carter, Henze, Ligeti, Lutoslawski, Penderecki and Stockhausen.

This is great music by Pina Carmirelli and I Musici. This is one of the best four seasons along with the Accardo version. Sound is excellent. You will not regret buying this CD. It will become one of your best Four Seasons…

Sixty years have passed since 12 young graduates, mainly from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory, got together to give voice to their passion. Thus was born a rarity of its time, a chamber group without a conductor. This apparent lack could have been their Achilles heel when the great Toscanini heard them, but their enthusiasm brought out the strong and affectionate words: "Bravi, bravis- simi…(very good, excellent) music wont die! … from him. Time has passed quickly, yet the sound that travelled these decades still lights up the eyes of those who were participants in this extraordinary cavalcade as if it had lasted only a moment.