Catalogue

Summary:

“Sorrell and her dazzling period band from Cleveland commit Vivaldi’s concertos to disc… and the musical results are revelatory. Sorrell’s booklet notes… are as fascinating as her soloist Fullana’s virtuosic playing, but it’s her orchestra’s incandescence — graphic in the “barking dog” movement of Spring, exhilarating in Summer’s cascading rainstorm — that makes this essential listening.” – Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times

“Francisco Fullana reveals its poetry with effortless refinement. What I enjoyed most of all in the affectionate and carefully thought out playing of soloist and ensemble is their relaxed phrasing and crisp articulation which generate unflagging interest. Terrific stuff!” – Nicholas Anderson, BBC Music magazine 

“An abundance of plucked playfulness from harpsichord, Baroque harp, theorbo and guitar. Resplendent… they lace an icy path [in Winter] with spectacular downwards glissandos. Sorrell’s excellent liner notes… [contain] evocative descriptions, spiced with lovely historical detail.” – Mark Seow, Gramophone 

Best 10 Classical Albums of 2021 – “Fullana and Sorrell’s brilliant baroque band from Cleveland reveals Vivaldi’s most popular work in spring-cleaned colours, like the restoration of an old master.” Hugh Canning, The Times 

“A skilled and passionate band and outstanding soloist…” – Richard Masters, MusicWebInternational.com

“A sparkling performance… describing the joys and sorrows of a time when people lived closer to nature – all with the flamboyance of harpsichordist Jeannette Sorrell and the talented performance of soloist Francisco Fullana. Apollo’s Fire, one of the best baroque orchestras in the U.S., is internationally recognized for its creative and innovative programming as well as for its dynamic and invigorating approach to early music. Alan Choo, the ensemble’s concertmaster, joins Francisco Fullana, a virtuoso with a bright future, in ‘La Folia’ to close this album. The work ends this beautiful recording with a touch of madness that makes us smile with this joyful and frenzied interpretation. The booklet is wonderfully produced.” – Thimothée Grandjean, Crescendo

Recommended “.. this is a major new recording of The Four Seasons, and an absolute must for anyone interested in the art of musical storytelling.” – Mark Sebastian Jordan, MusicWebInternational.com 

“… one is constantly delighted by this wonderful music-making not only of the orchestra but also of the soloist Francisco Fullana, whose playing is distinguished by an equally great quality and delights with a wonderful art of ornamentation.” ★★★★ – Remy Franck, Pizzicato

“… Throughout, Fullana contributes a fiery style that helps Sorrell realize her ideas unusually well…” ★★★★ – James Manheim, AllMusic.com 

“Soloist Francisco Fullana’s violin tone is sweet and beguiling; the orchestra plays with enthusiasm and finesse; and Ms. Sorrell leads the players in a well-judged production… they convey the spirit and picturesque qualities of Vivaldi’s little tone paintings, creating vivid and lasting images in our mind’s of the stories they tell… a good, well-balanced production …”  – John J Puccio, Classical Candor

Grammy Award-winning baroque orchestra Apollo’s Fire and its founder-director Jeannette Sorrell have blazed trails in the world of historically informed performance with pioneering programming, presentational flair and an entrepreneurial spirit, qualities that have earned them eight Billboard chart-topping albums and more than 7 million views on YouTube. Their latest release, which launches the ensemble’s 30th anniversary season, is destined to soar to similar heights: the ensemble’s first recording of the perennial audience favourite, Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, featuring the phenomenal Spanish-born fiddler Francisco Fullana. Frequently performed at Apollo’s Fire home base in Cleveland, Ohio and on their international tours, “Sorrell’s vivid approach to the pictorial elements make these familiar works seem freshly minted, full of astonishing incident”, according to Seen & Heard International. Fullana, winner of the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant, has been dubbed a “rising star” by BBC Music Magazine, and an “amazing talent” by conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

The Four Seasons is the first of several releases spread throughout the season celebrating Apollo’s Fire’s milestone 30th anniversary.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR APOLLO’S FIRE, JEANNETTE SORRELL AND FRANCISCO FULLANA

“The lightning strike of genius can happen… Sorrell is a masterful musical storyteller.”
(Seen & Heard International)

“Fullana gave a continuous display of nuanced genius playing” (El Mundo)

“Fullana is a rising young virtuoso of outstanding potential” (The Violin Channel)

“Superlative music-making… Apollo’s Fire combines European stylishness and American can-do entrepreneurialism.” (The Daily Telegraph)

Tracklist:

ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)

The Four Seasons (Le Quattro Stagioni)
Soloist: Francisco Fullana, violin

La Primavera (Spring), Op. 8 No. 1
1. i. Allegro (3:37)
2. ii. Largo (2:45)
3. iii. Allegro (4:29)

L’estate (Summer), Op. 8 No. 2
4. i. Allegro non molto – Allegro (5:02)
5. ii. Adagio e piano (2:21)
6. iii. Presto: Tempo impetuoso d’estate (2:52)

L’autunno (Autumn), Op. 8 No. 3
7. i. Allegro (5:11)
8. ii. Adagio molto (2:45)
9. iii. Allegro (3:20)

L’inverno (Winter), Op. 8 No. 4
10. i. Allegro non molto (3:34)
11. ii. Largo (2:15)
12. iii. Allegro (3:20)

Antonio Vivaldi/arr. Jeanette Sorrell: “La Folia” (Madness)
Soloists: Francisco Fullana & Alan Choo, violin
13. Concerto Grosso (10:45)

Francisco Fullana, Alan Choo, violins
Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra
Jeannette Sorrell, director

Recorded April 15-17, 2021, Avon Lake United Church of Christ
Recording Producer & Editor: Erica Brenner Recording, Mixing, & Mastering Engineer: Daniel Shores
Cover photo: Adrian Mendoza | Recording Session Photography: Ken Wendt | Booklet design: Kein Zweifel
Francisco Fullana performs on the 1735 “Mary Portman” ex-Kreisler Guarneri del Gesù violin, with gut strings and baroque bow.
The violin is on loan from Clement and Karen Arrison through the Stradivari Society of Chicago.