This dazzling new CD features five Vivaldi violin concertos that have never before been recorded. (He composed almost 250!) Giuliano Carmignola, backed by the Venice Baroque Orchestra led by Andrea Marcon offer a program o... more »f such thrilling energy and virtuosity that it's impossible not to get caught up in their passion for the music. Carmignola attacks this music with the expressivity of a superb Italian tenor; his control over dynamics, fast runs, and leaps are remarkable--and he does it all without a trace of vibrato (not very Italian-tenor in that respect). The finale of RV 325 features urgent downward scales from the orchestra while the violin carries on insanely above it; the Largo of RV 303 contains some wonderfully odd chromatic writing. RV 190 is a complicated work, featuring a rich first movement cadenza by Olivier Foures, a lovely song-like Largo, and a final Allegro that will make you want to dance. In short, this is a very exciting CD. Vivaldi lovers won't have to be convinced; others will realize that not all of this composer's works sound the same. --Robert Levine« less
This dazzling new CD features five Vivaldi violin concertos that have never before been recorded. (He composed almost 250!) Giuliano Carmignola, backed by the Venice Baroque Orchestra led by Andrea Marcon offer a program of such thrilling energy and virtuosity that it's impossible not to get caught up in their passion for the music. Carmignola attacks this music with the expressivity of a superb Italian tenor; his control over dynamics, fast runs, and leaps are remarkable--and he does it all without a trace of vibrato (not very Italian-tenor in that respect). The finale of RV 325 features urgent downward scales from the orchestra while the violin carries on insanely above it; the Largo of RV 303 contains some wonderfully odd chromatic writing. RV 190 is a complicated work, featuring a rich first movement cadenza by Olivier Foures, a lovely song-like Largo, and a final Allegro that will make you want to dance. In short, this is a very exciting CD. Vivaldi lovers won't have to be convinced; others will realize that not all of this composer's works sound the same. --Robert Levine
Caryn S. from LEXINGTON, KY Reviewed on 5/18/2016...
Beautiful
CD Reviews
Yes! He's arrived!
Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 11/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With so many headline Baroque violinists to choose from - Goebel, Biondi, Manze, Holloway, to say nothing of the second fiddlers in their various ensembles - Giuliano Carmignola has never been my first choice. His tone has always seemed blunt and his phrasing arbitrary, and there have been occasional tuning issues on other recordings. In fact, I just gave his performance of the 'Four Seasons' a fairly lukewarm review about a week ago. Well, with this performance of five glorious Vivaldi concerti, Carmignola has won me over by his sheer bravura. I can "hear" him standing before the orchestra like the Red Priest incarnate, flinging argeggios of demi-hemi-semiquavers like confetti. The tuning problems are gone. The phrasing seems capricious rather than contrived. Released in 2006, this is easily Carmignola's most impressive recording. To my mind, he's arrived.
The five concerti on this CD have never, according to the booklet, been recorded before. Vivaldi wrote at least 240 violin concerti, so the claim is plausible. None of them are familiar, and I've heard a lot of Vivaldi in my life. The amazing thing is that all five are exceptional. Even by Vivaldi's standards, they're eccentric and inventive, especially RV 190 in C major. If there are five more such masterworks still unrecorded - do you hear me, Giuliano? - I want them soon!
I can't wax so enthusiastic about the Venice Baroque Orchestra, however. Under the heavy baton of Andrea Marcon, the orchestra at times comes near spoiling my pleasure in Carmignola's fiery virtuosity. VBO seems to think that Vivaldi fans expect a big bow-wow most of the time, the kind of orchestral texture that can be enjoyed on a car radio in traffic. Perhaps it's the effect of studio recording, but I hear too little transparency and too much acoustic compression. Previous VBO disks have been spoiled for me by such a ponderous sound, but this disk is all about Carmignola, and he triumphs over his orchestral environment."
Vivaldi fan
JJ Kirby | UK | 01/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am not a musician and therefore do not have the relevant vocabulary in which to express my appreciation of this recording. Having said that, anything (except the ubiquitous 'Four Seasons') composed by Vivaldi interests me.
In complete contrast to my previous experience of Vivaldi's music - 'Vivaldi's Adagios', 'Stabat Mater' and the glorious 'Vespri per L'Assunzione di Maria Vergine'this CD offers a completely different experience. The concertos are fast and furious and certainly demand the listener's full attention! Whilst there are some lovely slow, quiet movements, the main body of the work is - how to put it - decidedly lively! I wanted to experience a different type of Vivaldi's work and I have. Although enjoyable, it's made me realise that I prefer his slower, more reflective (?) compositions. While I appreciate the absolute professionalism of the artists, the pace of the concertos on this CD are, for my taste, too frenetic. However, this will not prevent me from playing it again and again.
If you like life in the fast lane then ... this is for you!"
Its Breathtaking Classical Art!
Edmund V. Faggioli | 09/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the art of classical music! Anyone who enjoys the more festive work of Vivaldi, this is it! The Italian art, it's in there!
The recording is superior, beautifully clear; even in those real deep tones. Who ever mastered this audio at Emil Berliner Studios did a tremendous job with tonal qualities. The pickup mic for the violin was extraordinary with defining up-close details of the soloist instrument. The rigorous work of Giulino Carmignola is an acrobat of Vivaldi's signature strings performing the most complex violin I've ever heard. The Venice Baroque Orchestra has proven once again to be the best and the fullest sounding, par none. Andrea Marcon is on a roll these days mastering Italian Baroque with sensational talent and consistency.
Only missing a slighting of a few notes, and more noticeable breathing, Giulino Carmignola was well performed and recorded in sonic detail. The fussy side of me wishes there was less breathing with the performance of these soloists. Can't we put a mask on them?
The worst part about this CD is that it ended only after 15 tracks. Although I was liberal at 5 stars, a muzzle on Giulino would have seriously made it 6 stars out of 5. The result of this production is a very festive, beautifully detailed, well recorded, and breathtaking interpretation of Vivaldi. I'm happy I purchased it."
One of the best classical recordings
Philipp Keller | Zürich Schweiz | 08/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own just about 10 classical recordings but none of them have fascinated me over such a long period than this one. A very lively, emotional version of the four seasons. This version is so utterly moving I regularly start headbanging (sorry for the unappropiate word but I cannot describe it otherwise) while listening to it."