The Saint And The Count

Antonio Vivaldi - Suonata a violoncello solo Del Signor Antonio Vivaldi
Les Basses Reunis / Bruno Cocset
EAC+LOG+CUE | WV: 363 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Alpha # 004 | Country/Year: France 1999
Genre: Classical | Style: Baroque

…This CD indeed offers a new approach to Antonio Vivaldi with recordings of absolutely rare chamber repertoire. The sonatas are for violoncello solo, but are here performed with a variety of continuo instruments: harpsichord, organ, theorbo, guitar and double bass or violone. The whole is very closely and clearly recorded, giving the listener the opportunity to savour the delightful sound combinations and the intense violoncello playing of Bruno Cocset who, although definitely an early music specialist, here reminds me of Pablo Casals in the way he invests "soul" particularly in the slower movements…

The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra has always been a bit difficult to evaluate. Contemporary observers rated Lunceford's big band at the top with Duke Ellington and Count Basie but, when judging the music solely on their records (and not taking into account their visual show, appearance, and showmanship), Lunceford's ensemble has to be placed on the second tier…

This is a relatively new venture for the outstandingly imaginative recording outfit that is Opera Rara. The label's fifty-fourth recording sees them venturing on an uncompleted work by Donizetti, the composer they love the most. The composer had decamped from Naples to Paris when the censors, on the king’s personal instructions, banned his opera Poliuto.

The crusaders' dilemma is clearly exemplified in the song Seigneur, saichies by Thibaut de Champagne. "He who does not leave at once for the land where Christ loved and died, and takes the cross … will hardly go to paradise" and yet in the words of another song by Thibaut "God, why did you create foreign countries? It has parted many lovers who have lost comfort of love and forgotten its joy." There was, though, a joy greater than this: "It is good to be God's servant, and not to be touched by danger or chance; Serve well and be rewarded well." (Conon de Bethune). It is still, even at a distance of 800 years very touching to read these words and to hear these songs; they retain a strong quality, which, in these performances, is captured very well.