Vivaldi: Flute concertos/ Recorder Concertos

The interpretations are impeccable. Refined, emotional and very baroque.
The flute concert in Am has lovely ornamentations. The two flutes (esp. in the adagio) of hte Concert in C are delightful.
Of course, "il gardinello" has not been dethroned. Its evocative quality really transports me from my listening room.

The recorder concertos are beautiful. Although the enthusiastic nature of the interpretation adds emotion to the pieces, the technical aspect of the recorder calls for not stronger wind stream, as it changes the frequency of the notes, causing out-of-tune notes.
The orchestral plays are very surprising and add a real zest to otherwise well-known concertos.
Janet See, baroque flute; Marion Verbruggen, recorder; Philarmonia Baroque Orchestra; Nicholas McGegan, director.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
CD 1				Janet See
Flute concerto	D	RV 427
Flute concerto	G	RV 438
Flute concerto	Am	RV 440
Flute concerto	C	RV 533	Stephen Schultz 2nd flute
Flute concerto	D	RV 428		Il Gardinello (the goldfinch)
Flute concerto	G	RV 436
Flute concerto	D	RV 429
CD 2				Marion Verbruggen
Concerto for Recorder	F	RV 433		La tempesta di Mare
Concerto for Recorder	Cm	RV 441
Concerto for Recorder	C	RV 443
Concerto for Recorder	Gm	RV 104	Dennis Godburn, basoon	La Notte
Concerto for Recorder	F	RV 434
Concerto for Recorder	C	RV 444
Concerto for Recorder	G	RV 435

Vivaldi: Concerti per mandolini e concerti con molti strumenti

Ah! what a joy!

Most pleasurable listening!!

The only thing I would have to say, beyond joyful exclamations is that I missed the recorder trills, that are so prominent in other versions.

Note: grade:F is for fabulous and favorite... It can't be Failed since I would not feel my attribute to evaluate a work like that.

Europa Galante & Fabio Biondi, direction and violin

Concerto RV 532

for 2 mandolines

Concerto RV 558

for 2 violini in tromba marina, 2 recorders, 2 mandolines, 2 chalumeaux, 2 theorbos & cello

Concerto RV 576

for violin, 2 recorders, 3 oboes & bassoon

Concerto RV 564

for 2 vioins, 2 cellos & strings

Concerto RV 319

for solo violin, 2 oboes, bassoon & strings

Concerto RV 425

for mandoline

Concerto RV 555

for 3 violins, oboe, 2 recorders, 2 viole all'inglese, chalumeau, 2 cellos, 2 harpsichords & 2 violini in tromba marina

Bach: Brandenburgische Konzerte 4,5,6

Breathtaking! Absolutely outstanding! (Knowing me, I think I have to be in specially receptive mood now)

Although I have heard them many many times, (and I have heard this precise recording before, Brilliant CDI-2) it still sounds so new. Such a compelling tempo, crystal clear distinction of instruments. For example in the Allegro of BWV 1049, I just noticed some virtuosissimi violin scales that I had not distinguished in any other recording.

Concerto no. 4 G BWV 1049
Rémy Baudet, violin
Pieter-Jan Belder, Saskia Coolen, recorder

Concerto no. 5 D BWV 1050
Wilbert Hazelzet, traverso
Rémy Baudet, violin
Pieter-Jan Belder, harpsichord

Concerto no. 6 B flat BWV 1051
Staas Swierstra, Sayuri Yamagata, viola
Mieneke van der Velden, Johannes Boer, viola da gamba
Lucia Swarts, cello

Pieter-Jan Belder, conducts Musica Amphion.

Il Giardino Armonico: Artist Portrait

Well, for those that know Il Giardino Armonico, there is not much to say. Nice selection of works, well-known concertos from Vivaldi and Bach. Some small pieces, too.

But, for those that do not know Il Giardino Armonico, well... you are in for a surprise. Noise. Movement. You can listen to the player's gestures. You can even imagine their hair flying all over their face (not really sure about this ;-) ).
This group puts each instrument and interpreter under the spotlight. There can be historical evidence that suggests that this was in fact the way it was played, before music became an idol in itself. Therefore it is irreverent, gay (no reference to orientation), novel, controversial, abusive, imaginative, irreverent, and communicative.
No doubt worth listening to, but certainly no obligation to adopt. Listen to the plasticity of sounds, and the new dimension the works acquire.

Marco Uccellini (c.1603-1680)

Aria sopra "La Bergamasca"

Antonio Vivaldi (c.1678-1741)

Concerto in Fm, op.8/4 "l'Inverno"

Johann Sebastian Bach (c.1685-1750)

Brandenburg Concerto no.3 in G

Tarquino Merula (c.1594/5-1665)

Ciaccona

Giuseppe Torelli (c.1658-1709)

Concerto à quattro in Gm

Antonio Vivaldi

Concerto in C RV425

Johann Pachelbel (c.1653-1706)

Canon & Gigue in D

Antonio Vivaldi

Concerto in D RV564

Tomaso Albinoni (c.1671-1751)

Adagio (Oboe Concerto in Dm op.9 no.2

Antonio Vivaldi (c.1678-1741)

Concerto in Gm RV104 "La Notte"