During the summer of 1989, oboists Alfredo Bernardini and Paolo Grazzi together with bassoonist Alberto Grazzi founded Zefiro, a versatile ensemble specialized in 18th century music predominantly featuring wind instruments. Zefiro soon made a name for itself worldwide, and to celebrate its thirty years of activity Arcana is releasing an elegant 10-album set of their complete recordings of baroque music. From the ensemble’s first release (Sonatas by Zelenka - Grand Prix du Disque), the compilation alternates recordings of repertoire composers and pieces that have become absolute points of reference, such as the Vivaldi Bassoon Concertos, Handel’s Fireworks (Diapason d’or de l’année 2009) or the Bach Overtures (judged by Gramaphone to be one of the 50 best Bach recordings of all time). However it also comprises significant rediscoveries, including the Overtures for Double Choir by Telemann, and the virtuoso wind repertoire connected with the Dresden court. Another precious feature of this magnificent set is the presence of the Fasch Concertos, which were out of print for many years and are finally once more available for our enjoyment.

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Excerpts of select reviews or previously released volumes included in this set:


Bach: Overtures / Bernardini, Zefiro

In BWV1066 trio passages are played by oboists Alfredo Bernardini and Paulo Grazzi and bassoonist Alberto Grazzi with unerring momentum and nuanced deftness. French-style dances lilt, sway or scamper, with a keen attention to charismatic details (the pair of Passepieds is an ideal compound of liveliness and refinement).

– Gramophone

Telemann: Ouvertures A 8 / Bernardini, Zefiro

Zefiro adopts entirely sensible tempos, engages in no extra-musical special effects, and has mastered its instruments to the point where things like intonation, tone production, and polished execution are equal in every respect to its modern instrument counterparts. These are wonderfully solid and musically enriching performances, complemented by a perfectly spotlighted and well-balanced recording.

– MusicWeb International

Vivaldi: Concerti per Oboe / Bernardini, Zefiro

Because Vivaldi composed oboe concertos throughout much of his career, a selection of them can provide listeners with an overview of his stylistic development. The seven concertos offered here do just that. There’s much to enjoy here. The sound in the slow movements is very agreeable, and Bernardini’s tempos and other directorial choices are well-nigh on target and sensible.

– Fanfare