Superb playing from Pahud and Australian Chamber Orchestra
John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 03/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Distinguished Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Flutist Emmanuel Pahud offers some riveting, joyful performances as soloist in these Vivaldi flute concerti. He's well supported by splendid, virtuoso performances from violinist Richard Tognetti and his Australian Chamber Orchestra; this recording marks their EMI recording debut (Richard Tognetti and his small band may be best remembered to audiences worldwide as the musicians in the soundtrack recording of the film "Master and Commander" for which Tognetti composed some of the music. But they are perhaps best known for their elegantly stylish playing of Baroque music, winning ample praise from critics and fans worldwide.). The Vivaldi concerti represent several different periods from the composer's life; for example, the Opus 10 concerti were composed originally for other instruments - with the notable exception of the fourth concerto in G Major - and so these are really Vivaldi's transcriptions for flute backed by a small chamber ensemble comprised of harpsichord and strings. Not surprisingly, the sound recording is quite superb. This fine CD is one of the best new classical recordings of 2006 I have heard so far."