Catalogue

Summary:

“A Four Seasons for all seasons … The group’s founder and violinist/director Adrian Chandler is not only steeped in the musical language of Baroque Italy; he is also fully conversant with its humanist wellsprings … an intensely dramatic account … this also goes for two superb bassoon concertos featuring the outstanding Peter Whelan and the two concertos for the three-stringed violin ‘in tromba marina’ realised in vivid colours through the agency through an intelligent, imaginative approach to bowing, articulation and ornamentation” – Gramophone

• Gramophone Magazine: Editor’s Choice
• Gramophone Awards: Baroque Instrumental – Nomination
• BBC Music Magazine: Concerto Choice
• BBC Radio 3 – Building a Library: Recommendation

Adrian Chandler, who founded the period-instrument ensemble La Serenissima, has produced a dozen enlightened, acclaimed and award-winning albums for AVIE. He has made world-premiere recordings of rediscovered works by Vivaldi and his 17th-century Italian contemporaries. He consistently applies a unique touch that combines erudition with approachability.

After many years of anticipation, Ade turns his attention to the touchstone of Vivaldi’s concerto output, The Four Seasons. As one has come to expect, he brings something unique to an interpretation brimming with vitality and originality. He has created his own, new edition based on the only surviving manuscript of these works.

Putting this most popular of classical works into context, Ade rounds out the recording with Vivaldi concertos for bassoon, including the famous La Notte, and world-premiere recordings of two concertos for the violino in tromba marina, a hitherto obsolete instrument that was used during Vivaldi’s lifetime, and that Ade has helped to recreate and bring back to life for 21st century music lovers.

Tracklist:

ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678–1741)

Le Quattro Stagioni (The Four Seasons) - Manchester version

Concerto No. 1 in E Major for Violin, Strings & Continuo in E Major, RV 269 “La primavera” (spring)
1. I. Allegro
2. II. Largo
3. III. Allegro

Concerto No. 2 for Violin, Strings & Continuo in G Minor, RV 315 “L’estate” (summer)
4. I. Allegro non molto – Allegro
5. II. Adagio – Presto – Adagio
6. III. Presto

Concerto No. 3 for Violin, Strings & Continuo in F Major, RV 293 “L’autunno” (autumn)
7. I. Allegro – Larghetto – Allegro assai/molto
8. II. Adagio molto
9. III. Allegro

Concerto No. 4 for Violin, Strings & Continuo in F Minor, RV 297 “L’inverno” (winter)
10. I. Allegro non molto
11. II. Largo
12. III. Allegro – Lento – Allegro

Concerto for Bassoon, Strings & Continuo in B flat Major, RV 501 “La Notte”
13. I. Largo – Andante molto
14. II. Presto: Fantasmi – Presto – Adagio
15. III. Adagio: Il Sonno
16. IV. Allegro: Sorge l’Aurora

Concerto for Violin ‘in tromba marina’, Strings & Continuo in D Major, RV 221
17. I. Allegro
18. II. Andante
19. III. Allegro

Concerto ‘per Maestro dè Morzin’ for Bassoon, Strings & Continuo in G Minor, RV 496
20. I. Allegro
21. II. Largo
22. III. Allegro

Concerto for Violin ‘in tromba marina’, Strings & Continuo in G Major, RV 311
23. I. Allegro
24. II. Andante
25. III. Allegro

Adrian Chandler, violin/director • Peter Whelan, bassoon
La Serenissima

Recorded 21–24 April 2015, Hospital of St. Cross Winchester
Producer: Simon Fox-Gal