Virgin of e

FROM THE LOVELY, LANGUID opening words, “Dalle cime dell’Alpi” (From the tops of the Alps), as Winter returns from the mountains to learn from the other seasons of the death of the Virgin Mary, this new recording makes a case for Marcello’s 1731 oratorio, Il Pianto e il Riso delle Quattro Stagioni. Fresh voices, attentive to text and to stylish phrasing, portray the siblings Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, supported by the lively playing of the Ensemble Lorenzo da Ponte and vigorous singing of the Venice Monteverdi Academy under the direction of Roberto Zarpellon.

Over 2 discs it has many of the favourite carols, plus a great selection of lesser-known pieces, all sung pitch-perfectly in a very gentle C of E style, with no drama, theatricals or show-boating. As such it is background music to potter around to, or eat Christmas dinner to, rather than music to actively listen to.

…The great F-Major Quartet, op. 59/1, is a highlight on the Virgin set: the Borodins take a lyrical, symphonic view with moderate tempos throughout the opening movement. Sforzandos and accents are never harsh; the dolce moments have memorable sweetness. In the Allegretto vivace, the Russian quartet realizes this somewhat unusual tempo marking without artifice or exaggeration, as 16th notes nimbly chase each other around the ensemble, perfectly matched and effortless…. Michael Fine, FANFARE