Search - Antonio Vivaldi, Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble, Igor Kipnis :: Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Flute Concerto in D "Il Gardellino"; Harpsichord Concerto in A major

SEASONS OF THE HEART

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 02/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is as intimate a recording of The Four Seasons as you will ever likely come across, due entirely to the complete immersion of the phenomenal Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble into the spirit and essence of Vivaldi, under the directorship of ageless maestro, Igor Kipnis.



With each of the eight Connecticut Ensemble members taking his or her part--- three violins, viola, cello, bass, theorbo/archlute/guitar, and harpsichord--- Vivaldi's concerti Op. 8, No.'s 1-4 become chamber-like, wistful, utterly personal. And contrary to what we might presume, even with its bare bones showing, this Four Seasons becomes yet more profound. Textures hidden beneath typical orchestral forces, embellishments subdued or repressed entirely, or melodic lines no longer articulated (or too well integrated to hear), have a sudden clarity, variety and emotional impact that is startling and completely convincing--- as well as being thoroughly thrilling.



The keen scholarship of Kipnis is telling at every turn, as in the use of Richard Stone's theorbo, archlute or baroque guitar interspersed throughout; or Eli Potash's self-built and wonderfully rich and baroquely gruff bass, tuned in fifths; or Kipnis' own harpsichord contribution, a marvel in itself, and particularly rewarding (as in the Adagio of "Autumn")--- yes! we do actually get to HEAR the harpsichord! (At long last.)



Lead violinist Jorg-Michael Schwarz is to be commended for his beautiful tone, grace and musical emapthy; but, then, it would be a disservice not to commend every member of the Connecticut Ensemble for fabulously rich and inspiring craftsmanship, and for allowing us the treasures manifest in their playing.



Also on the CD is the Flute Concerto in D, Op. 10, No. 3 ("The Goldfinch"), RV 428, here played rapturously by John Slocum on a mid-18th century one-keyed boxwood flute. Superb!



To round things out, we have a concerto (listed as RV 546), probably for violin and cello, reconstructed brilliantly, and convincingly, by Kipnis as a three movement Harpsichord Concerto (RV 78) in A.



Absolutely first-rate sound: warm, comfortable, inviting, detail-rich. Excellent liner notes, too, by Kipnis.



[Running time: 62:15]"

Crystal Clarity

Melvyn M. Sobel | 04/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like all of Chesky's recordings I've listened to, this one is awesome. This is the best recording of Vivaldi I've heard. The range is phenomenal. Bass is rich and full, highs are crisp, and the resolution is awesome."