Antonio Vivaldi
Viva Vivaldi

I risk making a banal statement, but in music as in life, nothing is more wrong than having prejudices.

However, who wouldn't have them against a Vivaldi da Camera produced and perhaps even performed by an overseas ensemble?
My experience with a Harmonia Mundi USA production had reinforced, in the past, these suspicions, despite the fact that the Red Priest's music was performed by European artists of caliber such as Paul Goodwin or John Holloway, extremely experienced in baroque music. The "Breathtaking" that was prominently on the CD cover turned into an "Uncontrollable Yawning" already upon listening to the famous Concerto for Flute, Oboe, and Bassoon in D major RV 95, “La Pastorella”. A tired, boring, and dragged interpretation, truly not recommended.

Even more, what to think, at first glance, of the Nonesuch CD being reviewed here, not only produced overseas but also performed by illustrious unknowns “from the stars and stripes”.

The cover did not inspire much confidence in me: that "Viva Vivaldi" stands out as much as "Italians: spaghetti, pizza, and mandolin". Not to mention the program, a phantasmagoric “Festival of Chamber Music” by the Venetian Maestro.

However, just a few notes from the opening Concerto were enough to tear away any stupid reservation. Ladies and gentlemen, what a great record!
I don’t believe that Musical Offering's Vivaldi is philologically correct, I just know that the almost 50 minutes of this record flow like a glass of water. In fact, not to give the wrong impression of insipidity, they flow as fresh as a sparkling summer drink and as full-bodied and elegant as cognac served at the right temperature.

Starting with the program, wisely combined between Sonatas (RV 53 and 83) and Concertos for Recorder, Oboe, or Bassoon (RV 94, 95, and 107), with the former interspersing the latter. The rich notes in the booklet reveal the secrets of the program and the solo careers of the performers, almost all within the boundaries of the States.

The Ensemble excels in every aspect: from the choice of tempos to the elegant phrasing, from the smooth and velvety color of the instruments (especially the Oboe and Bassoon, with those wonderful suspended notes) to the intonation, from the rich continuo to the precision of the attacks.

The recording is also superb and conveys all the harmony and joy of making music that the ensemble transmits, as emerges, for example, in the initial Allegro of the "Pastorella" (sample).

An edition that is essential not only in the collection of anyone who appreciates Vivaldi but also in that of anyone who values good music properly.

Viva Vivaldi - Festive Chamber Music for Woodwinds and Strings - Musical Offering - Nonesuch Digital - 1984 - DDD

*Antonio Vivaldi - Seven Concertos - M. Verbruggen, P. Goodwin, J. Holloway, D. Godburn, J. Toll, S. Comberti - Harmonia Mundi USA - 1991 - DDD