COMPOSERS: Albinoni,Corelli,Geminiani & Scarlatti,Locatelli,Manfredini,Sammartini,Vivaldi
LABELS: Naxos
ALBUM TITLE: Collection: Italian Concerti Grossi
WORKS: Music by Sammartini, Albinoni, Vivaldi, Locatelli, Manfredini, Corelli, Geminiani & Scarlatti
PERFORMER: Capella Istropolitana/Jaroslav Krechek
CATALOGUE NO: 8.550877 DDD
This is a delightful record of symphonies and concertos of the Corelli-Vivaldi period. Most listeners will know the famous A minor Concerto by Vivaldi from L’estro armonico for two solo violins and orchestra (Op. 3/8), and perhaps the spirited D major Concerto Grosso by Arcangelo Corelli (Op. 6/4); but many of the other works will not be familiar except to real connoisseurs of the Italian Baroque.
The concertos and symphonies have been well chosen, and the performances are delicate and robust, as needed, conducted by Jaroslav Krechek with an orchestra of modern instruments. In fact, I cannot imagine a more attractive visiting-card for those who do not yet know this great and glorious Italian school of the early 18th century but would like to have a sampler.
The recording is full-bodied and the disc is good value for money at 66 minutes. This is a budget record and a great success. I warmly recommend it. HC Robbins Landon