No major ensemble today is more closely associated with the music of Vivaldi than Europa Galante under its dynamic violinist director, Fabio Biondi. In this new release, Fabio Biondi and the Europa Galante expand their rich catalogue of Vivaldi's works with six concertos -- five from La Stravaganza and another in F major -- published as a set in London in 1728 by John Walsh and a pillar of the composer's international fame in his lifetime. The new CD also includes a further Vivaldi concerto, RV 544 in F major, entitled `Il Proteo o sia Il mondo al rovescio' (Proteus, or the world upside-down), which refers to shape-shifting sea-god Proteus. The score is ingeniously written so that, with an appropriate shift in pitch, the solo violin and cello could readily swap parts.Gramophone magazine has praised Europa Galante's ability to "bring something entirely fresh and vital to oft-performed repertoire, illuminating well-trodden paths with affective articulation and eloquently voiced inflexions," while the New York Times has asked: "What accounts for the verve? A sense of spontaneity, enviable technical facility and stylistic polish, to be sure, but also Europa Galante's unfailing musicality, that salient but hard-to-define quality responsible for transforming the adept into the memorable."
J**O
Completely satisfied.
Completely satisfied. The CD came promptly, it was packaged securely, and it was in the condition as advertised.
R**S
met my expectations
I listened to it yahoo
C**S
Five Stars
Maravilloso Disco
M**E
Beautiful
Lesser known works by Vivaldi that are of equal quality to The Four Seasons. Recommend this recording to anyone who appreciates great Baroque music.
N**O
Good music, but less than an hour
It's a good recording of Vivaldi's La Stravaganza. The sound is excellent, as well the orchestra and the soloists. But this CD last less than an hour. Would be better with at least one more concerto.
M**N
KITCHEN TONGS: EXCELLENT
perfect, just a described. And very useful
N**A
In my opinion, a fine addition / contribution to the Vivaldian discography
The "John Walsh edition" of the Red Priest's "La Stravaganza" - which is the main material in this CD - contains 5 concerti from the original Op. 4. In addition, the Walsh edition includes a 6th concerto from an unknown source. Very interestingly, the second movement of this mysterious concerto seems nearly the same as the slow movement of the A minor concerto from this same collection. (This is pointed out by the author of the program notes for Hogwood's recording of the Op. 4.)Despite some of my reservations, out of all the recordings of "La Stravaganza" that I've personally heard, this is the most satisfying and pleasing to my taste - even though it doesn't contain all the 12 concerti from Op. 4. Some of my favorite tracks in this CD include the first movement of the E minor concerto, the whole of the A minor concerto, and the second movement of the D major concerto.
D**E
Popular but not the Best
Thi album is a selection of small violin concerti from La Stravaganza, one of three sets of 12 small concert pieces that vivaldi developed to help show off his skills when as a priest he was teaching violin to young women early in his career. My first exposure to Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante was a 2001 recording of another of the three sets, "Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione"The tirle of "Ii Cimeento dell'armoniae dell inventione" roughly translates as the "contest between harmony and invention" and Biondi's hell bent for leather (I love to show how fast I can play) seems enitrely appropriate for that set. He continues that same style of play for "La Stravaganza" with roughly the same result. In 2001 the effect was thrilling but now seems a little tiresome."La Stravaganza", however translates roughly as "extravagant, extatic or serene."and Biondi's perpetually excited style doesn't seem to work that well here. Instead listen to Rachel Podger's version with Arte Dei Suonatori.Vivaldi: La Stravaganza Her tone and entonation are superior to Biondi's and the sound of her small HIP band is wonderful.Fabio plays in an italian manner. Rachel digs much deeper and plays music of an extravagant nature. As far as other versions go, you are on your own. These are the two that I am aware of that claim to be historically informed.
P**X
Magnifique
Excellente interprétation et prise de son remarquable !
F**I
Bello
Trovato nuovo solo su Amazon..evviva!
J**E
Five Stars
Very good!
J**E
Well worth buying
Brilliant
A**H
Excelente, como siempre
Altas expectativas despertadas por Fabio Biondi y su orquesta Europa Galante...plenamente cumplidas. Como siempre, Biondi y su orquesta llegan a una interpretación, además de técnicamente excelente, refinada y elegante.
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