FOUR SEASONS

The Four Seasons - here heard in Perlman's second recording - are just the most celebrated of Vivaldi's concertos for solo violin: both prolific and inventive, he composed well over two hundred. Perlman has selected four works from two famous collections, L'estro armonico and La stravaganza.

A household word when speaking of repertoire, legendary flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal devoted just as much effort to establishing the masterpieces in their rightful place as to unearthing countless works from the baroque, classical and romantic eras. As far as concertos are concerned, cornerstones by Bach, Mozart and Vivaldi thus gained worldwide fame, and it went the same way for Ibert, Jolivet and Nielsen. Unfailing lyric sense, purity of style, magnificent tone, grace of phrasing, fabulous virtuosity, tremendous commitment... Critics, colleagues and the public were all running out of superlatives. Immediately valued as references, his recordings still fascinate and often leave the listener exhilarated. This 12 CD set tries the challenge of surrounding these marvels with some of the most dazzling rediscoveries, offering famous and less famous music, but equally glorious interpretations.

Classical Music

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was an Italian composer, violinist, and priest, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of the Baroque era. Born in Venice, Vivaldi was nicknamed "Il Prete Rosso" (The Red Priest) because of his red hair and clerical background. Although he was ordained as a priest, his true vocation was music. He spent much of his life working at the Ospedale della Piet�, a Venetian orphanage for girls, where he composed and directed music, training many talented young musicians. Vivaldi's greatest legacy lies in his instrumental concertos, especially those with the violin. Each concerto displays his remarkable understanding of the instrument's expressive and technical capabilities. His concertos typically follow the three-movement structure (fast-slow-fast) that became standard in later classical music. They are characterized by brilliant virtuosity, rhythmic vitality, and a clear sense of form and contrast between soloist and orchestra. Among his violin concertos, The Four Seasons (Le quattro stagioni) stands out as his most famous and innovative work. Composed around 1723 and published in 1725, this set of four concertos -Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter- is a vivid example of early program music. Each concerto is accompanied by a sonnet that describes natural scenes and human emotions associated with the seasons. Through musical imagery such as bird calls, thunderstorms, harvest dances, and icy winds, Vivaldi masterfully translates the poetry into sound. Included are the concertos Op. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12. Vivaldi's concertos influenced many later composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach, who transcribed several of them. Although his music fell out of favor after his death, the 20th century brought a revival of interest, restoring Vivaldi's reputation as a master of melody, color, and instrumental brilliance. Today, his concertos remain central to the Baroque repertoire and beloved by performers and audiences worldwide. Played by Italian violinist Federico Guglielmo and his L'Arte dell'arco. The press has been unanimous in it's praise: "a definitive recording, bravo!" (Diapason), "infectious joy, improvisatory flair and instinct, this is music making minted in the moment" (BBC 3), "They know the secret language of Vivaldi.." (Diapason).

This album celebrates Antonio Vivaldi's compositions for a particular vocal register, the alto, and for soloists from three different instrumental families: strings, woodwinds (the transverse flute) and brass (the horn). It includes the now famous arias from Orlando furioso and La verit� in cimento, the violin concerto RV241, brought back from Venice in 1717 by Johann Georg Pisendel, a leading violinist, pupil and friend of Vivaldi, a flute concerto, not to mention his sacred vocal music, much of which is written for solo voice. A broad and eclectic panorama, a veritable 'best of' the Venetian composer, conceived by the musicians of Cafe Zimmermann, who have been playing Vivaldi's music with passion since it's creation more than 25 years ago (as evidenced by it's rich discography at Alpha), and the French countertenor Paul-Antoine Benos-Djian, 'enchanting in Vivaldi', writes Diapason, which praises his 'penetrating artistry' and 'unique personality'.

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), one of the most influential composers of the Baroque era. A Venetian priest and violinist, Vivaldi composed hundreds of concertos that pushed the boundaries of instrumental technique and showcased his inventive use of color and rhythm. Among his many works, the three Piccolo Concertos -RV443, RV444, and RV445- stand out as rare and remarkable contributions to the repertoire of this small but expressive instrument. Written most likely in the late 1720s or early 1730s, these concertos were not originally scored for the modern piccolo but for the flautino, a high-pitched recorder or transverse flute. Today, they are most often performed on the piccolo, whose piercing timbre and agility make the works especially dazzling. Each concerto follows Vivaldi's typical three-movement fast-slow-fast structure, but within this framework he explores both technical brilliance and lyrical expression. RV443, perhaps the most famous of the three, opens with a lively Allegro that brims with virtuosic passagework, followed by a tender Largo in which the piccolo's sweet tone contrasts with the orchestral accompaniment, and concludes with a spirited Allegro full of rhythmic drive. RV444 displays a more dramatic character, with bold orchestral writing and challenging solo lines that demand precision and breath control. RV445, meanwhile, is admired for it's lyrical central movement and it's sparkling finale, which showcases rapid scales and arpeggios that highlight the piccolo's agility. Francesco Guggiola plays Solo Piccolo at Teatro alla Scala and Filarmonica della Scala in Milano and is professor at Accademia della Scala.

Il Bajazet was commissioned in 1735 to open Verona's carnival season. Vivaldi chose a libretto by Agostino Piovene drawn from the well-known story of the defeated Ottoman sultan, King Bajazet, captured by Tamerlane who duly falls in love with Bajazet's proud daughter, Asteria. Vivaldi was in his late maturity when he completed the opera, modifying his music to suit contemporary taste, and using the pasticcio form, incorporating some arias written by other, mostly Neapolitan, composers. Repurposing of this kind was wholly acceptable at the time and such works enjoyed great popularity. The conductor and Vivaldi specialist, Federico Maria Sardelli, has integrated lost arias, clarified the use of historically appropriate orchestration, and brought the opera to rich theatrical life.

In the autumn of 1725, as France celebrated the union of Louis XV and Marie Leszczynska, the French ambassador in Venice entrusted Vivaldi with the composition of a serenata in honor of the young royal couple. This commission inspired a sumptuous work, carried by two allegorical figures: Imeneo, god of marriage, and Gloria, the radiant embodiment of French majesty. In turn, these voices rise, echo each other, and gracefully contend in virtuosity, before blending in a sumptuous final duet, sealing their tribute in perfect harmony. Logan Lopez Gonzalez and Nicolo Balducci lend their talent and sensitivity to these roles, exalting Vivaldi's music. In the profusion of his work, this brief yet striking piece stands out as much for it's diplomatic finesse as for it's inspired brilliance - an enchantment offered to the French Court.

Baroque giants La Serenissima return with VIVALDI 8 - VOLUME 2, following their previous instalment in February 2025 of Vivaldi 8 Volume 1. Recognised for 'whipping up a storm with Vivaldi', La Serenissima is 'one of Britain's best-loved chamber orchestras' (The Telegraph) known for their outstanding performances, championing a host of neglected Italian baroque composers. Uniquely, the group's entire repertoire is edited from source material by founder and violinist, Adrian Chandler OSI. Praise for Vivaldi recordings by La Serenissima: 5 stars "After being obsessed by the composer and his music world for more than 30 years, Chandler by now is Vivaldi incarnate" - The Times

When was the last time you were really furious? With baroque orchestra La Sfera Armoniosa led by Mike Fentross, soprano Channa Malkin explores the raw power of anger through the intense and heart-wrenching music of Antonio Vivaldi. From hidden operatic gems to the fierce�In furore iustissimae irae, this album channels rage into beauty. Inspired by Channa's journey as a woman and mother, it reveals how moving through intense emotion can open the door to compassion, clarity, and catharsis.

Antonio Vivaldi's musical production for bassoon comprises no less than thirty-nine solo concertos. Within the musical landscape of it's time, this impressive musical legacy stands out like the silhouette of a mountain shrouded in mystery. If we consider that in Italy there is almost no evidence of the bassoon being used in the solo form after the 1680s, Vivaldi's contribution acquires a significance that is both extraordinary and enigmatic. When and for which events were his concertos composed and performed? And also, for which performers was such a vast, original and technically demanding production intended? It is not easy to find an answer to such questions. The composer's renewed interest in this instrument must have then derived from an encounter with a first-rate virtuoso, someone whose talent helped to stimulate the creation of an original repertoire, characterised by an extremely high technical and qualitative standard. These were definitely performers who were able to work in close contact with the composer over a sufficiently long period of time. Indeed, Vivaldi's writing was influenced and modelled on their technical skills, as testified by the eight concertos included in this recording.

Duo Gelland was founded in 1994 by the spouses Cecilia Gelland and Martin Gelland, bringing their individual perspectives on contemporary and early repertoire to the ensemble. This recording of their interpretations of four Vivaldi's Sonatas for Two Violins celebrates the Red Priest's physical, virtuosic approach to the instrument. Duo Gelland fills their performances with daring, lithe ornamentation and expressive subtlety and variation not often heard in contemporary readings of these works.

2018 release. Celebrating 30 years as a Decca Classics artist, Cecilia Bartoli releases an album of arias by Antonio Vivaldi, two decades after The Vivaldi Album. The original album launched a revival of Vivaldi's forgotten operas and set the standard for classical concept albums that stands to this day. Bartoli is joined on this recording by French Baroque experts Ensemble Matheus, under the baton of Jean-Christophe Spinosi.

SACRED MUSIC - COMPLETE

GLORIA NISI DOMINUS

Classical Music

Bajazet was a work of Vivaldi's late maturity, a dramatic tale that recounts the capture of the Turkish sultan Bajazet by the all-conquering Tartar, Tamerlane. It is a pasticcio, a well-established form, in which Vivaldi incorporated arias by some of the greatest young composers of his time - Johann Adolf Hasse, Geminiano Giacomelli and Riccardo Broschi, brother to the famous castrato Farinelli - to form a generous buffet of musical fireworks. Still, Vivaldi's recitatives, choruses and arias form the backbone of the opera, and constitute the majority of the music, producing a work of kaleidoscopic invention.

Bajazet was a work of Vivaldi's late maturity, a dramatic tale that recounts the capture of the Turkish sultan Bajazet by the all-conquering Tartar, Tamerlane. It is a pasticcio, a well-established form, in which Vivaldi incorporated arias by some of the greatest young composers of his time - Johann Adolf Hasse, Geminiano Giacomelli and Riccardo Broschi, brother to the famous castrato Farinelli - to form a generous buffet of musical fireworks. Still, Vivaldi's recitatives, choruses and arias form the backbone of the opera, and constitute the majority of the music, producing a work of kaleidoscopic invention.

Sophie Dervaux, the first female bassoonist of the illustrious Vienna Philharmonic, continues her captivating exploration of Vivaldi's Bassoon Concerti. In this latest release, Dervaux masterfully continues her journey through Vivaldi's enchanting works, showcasing her exceptional talent and artistry. Accompanied by the esteemed La Folia Baroque Orchestra, renowned for their commitment to historically informed performances on period instruments, this album offers a fresh and authentic interpretation of Vivaldi's timeless compositions. The orchestra's expertise enhances Dervaux's virtuosic playing, bringing a vibrant energy and richness to each concerto.

VIVALDI: 6 CONCERTOS GALWAY,

In August 2023, the Innsbruck Early Music Festival featured a performance of a Baroque jewel, the three-act opera La fida ninfa (The faithful nymph), which Antonio Vivaldi premiered on 6 January 1732 in Verona and presented in Vienna on 5 January 1737. The storyline of the work is "typical". There is an evil pirate and a kidnapper, two brothers who were abducted separately, and two young girls and their father - who all tussle about on the isle of Naxos until a happy end is achieved. A great deal of confusion is a matter of course, but the awe-inspiring musical qualities of this work are far greater. The solos and ensemble pieces are of such variety and beauty that the reservations occasionally expressed about high baroque opera are completely unfounded. Here one literally longs for the repeat of the da capo arias with a silent 'sing it again'

The master of Italian Baroque music is indisputably Antonio Vivaldi. Throughout his life, he composed hundreds of works, and is remembered perhaps second only to J.S. Bach, ranking as one of the most popular composers of all time. His oeuvre crosses an extraordinarily wide range, from instrumental compositions of all types to sacred cantatas and operatic works, a vast number of which are presented in this comprehensive box set. Vivaldi composed a large part of his works while working at the Ospedale della Pieta in Venice, where he was employed as a composer, teacher and violinist. The aim of the foundation was to provide an education and home for orphaned children. Vivaldi remained in the post on and off for over 30 years, and was under obligation to compose a new cantata for every feast day. His reputation, however, grew thanks to his instrumental skills rather than his compositions at first; as a violinist, he was known for his extraordinary cadenzas and virtuosic playing style. He became better known as a composer when Dutch publisher Etienne Roger brought out L'estro armonico in 1711, a hugely popular collection of 12 violin concertos, included on this release in full. J.S. Bach was particularly enthused by the manuscript, and his transcriptions for organ have gained popularity on their own merit - his version is also to be found in this edition, a fascinating point of comparison, and a testament to Vivaldi's reputation in his lifetime. During the 1720s and '30s, Vivaldi began to travel widely, while still sending compositions to the Pieta in Venice when required: despite being unable to teach, he was clearly still a major asset, as he was asked to send two concertos a month by post, adding up to over 140 in his absence. His operatic works grew vastly in number, and he began working closely with soprano Anna Giro, who was rumoured to be his mistress. Vivaldi died in Vienna, and, incredibly for such a famous and wealthy man, was given a pauper's burial. His last few months in Vienna had been frustratingly lacking in work, as concert houses were closed to mourn the death of Charles VI; however, his last opera was eventually staged posthumously there in 1742. Vivaldi was a divisive figure during his lifetime, well known for being vain and conceited. His vanity, though, is certainly deserved; we are left with the overwhelming evidence. More than 50 operas (21 of which survive), 500 concertos and 90 sonatas are no mean feat for a man who by all accounts was also a superb teacher and virtuosic violinist. This release draws attention to the diversity of his oeuvre, starting with his instrumental music and moving on to feature his sacred cantatas and operas. It is the most comprehensive edition of Vivaldi's music yet, bringing together 66 CDs showcasing hundreds of different performers and ensembles, many of them performing on period instruments as they strive to recreate the sound of the composer's timbre through their research-led contemporaneous playing styles. Brilliant Classics is proud to offer a new release to add to it's growing collection of authoritative composer editions. This box set is excellent value for money, at only �65 for an astonishing 66 CDs' worth of music, interpreted by some of Baroque music's most celebrated artists today. An excellent gift idea for any lover of Baroque, it spans the length of Vivaldi's illustrious career, and celebrates the best of his innovative and beautiful music. Other information: A new, extended, improved and upgraded Vivaldi Edition on Brilliant Classics! A feast of Historically Informed Performances by leading soloists and ensembles, this new Edition offers the best of today's Vivaldi playing! 66 CDs brimming with vitality, passion, instrumental brilliance and Italian sunshine, as played by mostly Italian forces (yes, they do know the secret of their "red priest" Antonio Vivaldi..). The complete Opus number 1-12 are newly recorded by L'Arte del'Arco, led by the eminent Federico Guglielmo (with numerous record awards to his name), a new recording of the complete Oboe Concertos, Juditha triumphans by Modo Antiquo/Sardelli, the famous Gloria by the Virtuosi Saxoniae, and new recordings by Early Music specialists Stefano Bagliano, Paolo Pollastri, Lorenzo Cavasanti. Contains extensive notes on Vivaldi

Juditha Triumphans is the only survivor of the four oratorios that Vivaldi is known to have composed. The work was commissioned to celebrate the victory of the Republic of Venice over the Turks during the siege of Corfu. The oratorio marks the climax of Vivaldi's vocal production. The great beauty of it's arias and choral parts, the compact dramatic quality of it's recitatives and the richness of instrumentation all single it out as one of the most intense and fascinating examples of the genre. As you have come to expect from Jordi Savall, the booklet is lavishly illustrated and contains the full libretto translated in six languages.

Violin Concertos - BACH, J.S. / VIVALDI, A. / MOZART, W.A. /