Europa [Import]

1. Fantom (The Wandering Ghost)

2. Unmentionables

3. Europa (Main Theme)

4. It Happens Every Night

5. Cafe Europa (Live)

6. Take The -S- Train

7. Vasagatan

8. Union Ave #2

9. Rubberdressing

10. Softdressing

11. Daughter Of The Snow

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante Molto
Allegro
Recitativo: Prence Lo So: Vi Devo
Aria: Del Destin Non Dee Lagnarsi
Recitativo: Non Si Perda Di Vista
Aria: Nasce Rosa Lusinghiera
Recitativo: Principe, Or Ora I Greci
Aria: In Si Torbida Procella
Recitativo: Il Tartaro Ama Asteria
Aria: Quel Ciglio Vezzosetto
Recitativo: Or Si, Fiero Destino
Aria: Vedeste Mai Sul Prato
Recitativo: Non Ascolto Piu Nulla
Aria: Amare Un'alma Ingrata
Recitativo: Cosi La Sposa Il Tamerlano Accoglie?
Aria: Qual Querriero In Campo Aramato
Recitativo: E Bella Irene
Aria: Non Ho Nel Sen Constanza
Recitativo: Amico, Tengo Un Testimon Fedele
Recitativo: Sarete Or Ostinato
Aria: Anche Il Mar par Che Sommerga
Recitativo: Gloria, Sdegno Ed Amore
Aria: Stringi Le Mie Catene

Tracks:

Recitativo: Ah, Disperato Andronico!
Aria: La Sorte Mia Spietata
Recitativo: Signor, Vergine Illustre
Aria: Cruda Sorte, Avverso Fato!
Recitativo: Senti, Chiunque Tu Sia
Aria: La Cervetta Timidetta
Recitativo: Gran Cose Espone Asteria
Aria: Sposa, Son Disprezzata
Recitativo: Dov'e Mia Figlia, Andronico?
Aria: Dov'e La Figla?
Recitativo: Asteria, Siamo Al Soglio ...
Quartetto: Si Crudel! Questo E L'amore
Recitativo: Figlia, Siam Rei
Aria: Veder Parmi, Or Che Nel Fondo
Recitativo: Andronico, Il Mio Amore
Aria: Barbaro Traditor
Recitativo: Lascero Di Regnare
Aria: Spesso Tra Vaghe Rose
Recitativo: Eccoti, Bajazette
Arioso: Verro Crudel, Spietato
Recitativo: Signor, Fra Tante Cure
Aria: Son Tortorella
Recitativo: Signore, Bajazette
Accompagnato: E Morto, Si, Tiranno
Aria: Svena, Uccidi, Abbatti, Atterra
Recitativo: Deh, Tu Cauto la Segui
Coro: Coronata Di Gigli E Rose

Amazon.com

This stunner of an opera involves the proud sultan Bajazet (bass) and his battle with his bloodthirsty rival-tyrant Tamerlane (counter-tenor). More than 50 operas were composed on the subject. Here Vivaldi has composed all the recitatives and marvelous arias for the dignified, fine characters and used arias by other composers--Hasse, Giacomelli, Carlo Broschi--for Tamerlano and the nasties. The music is energetic and virtuosic throughout. Fabio Biondi leads Europa Galante and soloists with urgent, theatrical precision, making the story come to life. The singing could not be better: Ildebrando d'Arcangelo is a remarkably sympathetic Bajazet, singing with fluency and power; David Daniels amazes as Tamerlano; Marijana Mijanovic sings the role of Asteria (Bajazet's daughter) with love and precision; and Viveca Genaux dazzles with her perfect coloratura as Irene. This is a treasure trove of singing, and a bonus DVD allows us to see/hear the performers in rehearsal. Highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Monumental Recording.......2007-03-14

From the same composer that
brought us "The four Seasons"
Antonio Vivaldi, comes this
'dramma per musica' it tells
us the story of Bajazet, a Turkish
leader who ruled vast portions of
the Ottoaman empire, and his defeat
by his great foe, Tamerlano(Timur Lenk).
In the past composers like Handel and
others had taken an interest in the story.
This is the World Premiere recording of
the work. Much musicological research was done
by conductor and violinist Fabio Biondi and others
to put together this monumental recording.As personally
for me this is the first complete opera that
I hear by Vivaldi. This opera comes with a
DVD that features all six soloists in an aria.
Europa Galante and Maestro Biondi do a wonderful
job, and the soloists are great. Wonderful work,
thank you Maestro Biondi...

Simply fantastic.......2007-02-28

This is one of the best recordings that I have bought recently. The entire opera is a treasure, and they couldn't have picked a better cast. Vivica Genaux, Elina Garanca, and David Daniels are especially strong, and Fabio Biondi's orchestra is always clean and polished. The recording quality is also top-notch. It's unlike me not to offer some kind of a criticism, but I can't think of one for this recording. Highly recommended.

Marvellous fun and great singing.......2006-09-19

I have to say that I prefer Handel's Tamerlano for musical reasons. However, Vivaldi's opera on the same subject is very enjoyable and entertaining. Like it has been said of the operas of Haydn, Vivaldi's operas are not great operas, but they do contain great music.

Europa Galante, directed from the 1st violin by Fabio Biondi, is in great form and I've never heard them play better. I have their older recording of Handel's opera Poro, and I enjoyed that one, too.
The singers here are an excellent ensemble. I like the dark and expressive voice of Ildebrando D'Arcangelo - he was also marvellous as Leporello in Gardiner's Don Giovanni. David Daniels is fantastic, as usual, and he is possibly the best operatic countertenor in the world at the moment. Patrizia Ciofi is best heard and not seen - sweet voice coming from a madwoman (check out the DVD!). Vivica Genaux has been hyped to within a centimetre of her life recently. She has a nice flexible mezzo voice. A little too much vibrato for my tastes and she looks like a chipmunk when she attacks coloratura passages. Marijana Mijanovic sings well - she was excellent as the neurotic Penelope in the Christie / L.A.F. DVD of Monteverdi's Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in patria. She is alarmingly thin - possible health problems? She doesn't engage with the conductor or orchestra at all in the DVD - the only singer who doesn't. Elina Garanca looks beautiful (and healthy!) and sings beautifully. She has a lovely contralto voice. I hope I see and hear more from this artist in the future.

I am not a big fan of Vivaldi's operas - I enjoy them as collections of arias. I wonder how well Bajazet worked on stage?
I'd love to have a DVD of this production, I would like to see how a Vivaldi opera works on stage. Vivaldi's operas don't have imaginative scorings and the orchestral passages are fairly prosaic. A lot of what goes on in the Vivaldi operas I've heard (I have a few in my CD collection) is pretty routine. However, I am open minded on the subject and I would like to see how well a Vivaldi opera works on stage.

Worth it!.......2006-05-23

This album exceeded my expectations. In the true pasticcio form, Vivaldi copied and pasted other composers' work, and his own of previous operas. The arias are un-paralleled in harmony, balance, up-beat rhythm, and beauty. The orchestration by Fabio Biondi is first rate and world class. Vivica Genaux rocks in her interpretation of "Qual Guerriero in Campo Armato" as so much energy, control, and speed are gushed out at once and sustained without wavering. Her ornamentation in the da capo aria is amazing. Vivica's voice is powerful, ethereal, and acrobatic. She recreates what a castrato voice might have sounded like, beautiful and strong. While Vivica sings perfectly the most demanding and technically difficult aria of the opera, Ciofi delights us with the most beautiful "Nasce rosa". After listening to her, it would be near to impossible to imagine anyone else singing this aria with such charm. But what she excelled at "Nasce", she lacked at "Anche il mar". This aria is perhaps as technically and impossibly challenging as "Qual guerriero", but Ciofi's coloratura is discontinuous. Cecilia Bartoli executes this aria in her Vivaldi Album stunningly in one breath. If there was ever a team of opera gold medalists, that team is put together in this album. Ildebrando's "Dov'e la Figla?" is a handsome showcase of his voice and strong presence. While his singing is worthy of high praise, his hand movements and wedding band flashing might have already cost him 90% of his fan base, not to mention dashing his chances at becoming a teen idol or gay icon. His comportment at the high note of the aria is reminiscent of an opera Olympiad doing a vocal triple summersault in mid-air and sticking a perfect landing. "Dov'e la figlia?" is also an aria that illustrates the great genius of Vivaldi as an opera composer. He wrote very distinct music for the same lyrics and for different registers (basso and castrato) in Bajazet, and Motezuma (with Dominique Visse). At the same time, he used the identical music for two different lyrics in Motezuma, and Orlando Furioso (Sorge l'irato Nembo).The bonus DVD proves not only interesting but also very entertaining at the gesticulations and facial configurations sometimes taken for granted to sing bel canto's finest arias. Superb job!

Gorgeous,but one tiny qualm !.......2006-04-20

While I agree with all the good things that have been written of this splendid perfomance,there is a small,but I feel important, detail about the recording which I find vexing.
When a recitative is is sung the performers are placed across the audio stage,disposed left or right,as you will.When an aria is sung ,the soloist leaps to the very center of the sound stage, which is quite disconcerting,especially when listening through headphones.This points to the arias and recits being recorded in separate sessions.Nothing wrong with that given the ravishing perfomance.Well worth the purchase price.

Boccherini: String Quintets; Minuet in A /Europa Galante * Biondi

Average customer rating:

An excellent performance as usual.
String Quintets, Boccherini/ Biondi/ Europa Galante
10 / 10 from Classics Today
Liberation of "Haydn's Wife"
A lesser-known delight

Boccherini: String Quintets; Minuet in A /Europa Galante * Biondi
Luigi Boccherini , Fabio Biondi , Enrico Casazza , Europa Galante , Ernesto Braucher , Maurizio Naddeo , and Antonio Fantinuoli
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

$9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000059GRG
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

Quintet Op. 25 No. 6
Quintet Op. 25 No. 6
Quintet Op. 25 No. 6
Quintet Op. 25 No. 6
Quintet Op. 25 No. 4
Quintet Op. 25 No. 4
Quintet Op. 25 No. 4
Quintet Op. 25 No. 4
Quintet Op. 25 No. 1
Quintet Op. 25 No. 1
Quintet Op. 25 No. 1
Quintet Op. 25 No. 1
Quintet Op. 11 No. 5

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Boccherini wrote about 100 string quintets, and if the three on this disc are anything to go by, they're a treasure trove of inventive music, melodically rich, full of surprising twists and turns, and with moments of great depth (as in the austerely beautiful Larghetto that opens the D minor Quintet). Written during Boccherini's stint as court composer in Madrid, these are "can't-miss" pieces, as is the encore track, the delicious Minuet from the Quintet Opus 11 No. 5, beloved by film fans for its use as a plot device in Alec Guinness's 1955 British comedy, The Ladykillers. The sympathetic playing of these musicians, drawn from the outstanding period performance band Europa Galante, makes this a major addition to the catalogue. The group's leader and first violinist on this disc is Fabio Bondi, whose solo recordings establish him as perhaps the finest of period practitioners. He shines in his solo turns, his colleagues play with spirited abandon, and the result is as delightful an hour of listening as you're likely to find on disc. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

An excellent performance as usual........2007-06-10

Europa Galante does not disappoint with this performance and their refreshingly vital interpretation is a joy to listen to.
I only wish they would record on DVD audio or simillar wide bandwidth medium to reproduce more faithfully the full dynamic range of the music.

String Quintets, Boccherini/ Biondi/ Europa Galante.......2007-05-13

The Boccherini quintets are a rare example of the string quintet format that allowed the composer to play his cello with the resident string quartet. In this recording Biondi brings his spirit to the music and brings it to life with the skill and sentitivity to line and phrasing that the players of Europa Galante bring. The recording is clean well balanced. One does not get the feeling of being inside the instruments favored so much by so many contemprary producers yet it still retains a feeling of intimacy really essential to chamber music. This is a fine recording of works rarely found together with such quality. In some ways the final minuet in A is such a cliche that it spoils the feeling from the quintets.

10 / 10 from Classics Today.......2006-09-08

10 out of 10 for performance and 10 out of 10 for sound

Liberation of "Haydn's Wife".......2005-05-28

It's a too bad that Boccherini's two-cello quintet configuration didn't catch on the way the standard quartet did; it's such a rich sonority. (Haydn-Mozart-Vanhal should have invited another cello-playing friend to join them.) I haven't heard many recordings of the quintets, but have liked all that I have heard, and these performances especially. Biondi and four members of Europa Galante really bring these pieces to life. If they would just continue recording more Boccherini, maybe he would rise in current opinion to the place he deserves. This recording alone should destroy the old "wife of Haydn" slur.
From these players' imaginative interpretations, to the composer's playful experiments with form, this disc is a delight throughout.
In the opening Allegro of the A minor work the development ends with a dancing theme, which is played straight the first time, but on the repeat it is transformed into startlingly furious guitar-strumming and stamping of heels; then, the trio of the following movement is like a reminiscence of this vivid dance.
The C major Quintet should be given some nickname like "Nights in the Taverns of Spain" -- you can almost smell the wine on the players' breath as they drunkenly laugh, argue, and try to tell sentimental stories in the woozy first movement.
The D minor Quintet opens with a deep slow movement then builds to a real flywheel of a Rondo fourth movement finale.
The Minuet tacked onto the end of the disc is a bit of a letdown after the previous, but hear it as an encore and it's just fine. Who could argue about a few more minutes of such wonderful string sound?

A lesser-known delight.......2005-04-30

"Boccherini who?" you ask. While not anywhere near as widely known as peer composers like Haydn or Mozart, the Italian Boccherini wrote a plethera of chamber music during his years serving under the Spanish court palace - an appointment not unlike Haydn's at Esterhaza - with some of it approaching these other masters. Notably, a lot of it focused on the cello - to the delight of celloist throught the centuries. You can hear the likeness of Haydn's tricks and Mozart's wit in these works, composed around 1778. Yet, Boccherini's twin-cello quintets (and especially in the guitar quintets on other discs) are quite different and have a most captivating "Spanish flavor" to them that bursts forth with a spring-like freshness and life.

Readers of "The Rough Guide to Clasical Music" will have seen this CD featured. And deservingly so as it is a really wonderful, full-of-life recording of some unique music of the classical era. And who more to bring them to life than Fabio Biondi and The Europa Galante. It is pretty much a given that Fabio Biondi will bring a dynamic and vibrant quality to whatever music he is playing and these quartets are no exception to that rule. It is not quiet chamber music to play in the background, but chamber music that jumps out of the speakers and captivates your senses. This is due in part to the wider dynamic range (pp to ff) that the Galante uses to create more drama, especially in the lively outer movements. For those shopping for the "Minuet in A," look no further - this one is a gem, full of charm and whimsy. I have many recordings by Biondi and placed this among my absoulte favorites. Thankfully too these quartets are recorded in very good sound on Veritas with a presence that is not too upfront or overly "spacious" - allowing clear definition of textures especially in the quiet passages which Biondi plays equistely. The Europa Galante bring just the right flair and "sunny Spanish flavor" to Boccherini's cello-rich music that make this CD an enthusiastic recommendation. 5 stars.

Vivaldi - Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione / Europa Galante, Biondi

Average customer rating:

Exceptional Playing
Barock'n'roll
The Gold Standard for Vivaldi
Not your momma's Four Seasons
WOW

Vivaldi - Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione / Europa Galante, Biondi
Fabio Biondi
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00005IA1S
Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

The Four Seasons: Con No.1 in E 'La Primavera', RV 269: I. Allegro
The Four Seasons: Con No.1 in E 'La Primavera', RV 269: II. Largo
The Four Seasons: Con No.1 in E 'La Primavera', RV 269: III. Allegro
The Four Seasons: Con No.2 in g 'L'estate', RV 315: I. Allegro Non Molto
The Four Seasons: Con No.2 in g 'L'estate', RV 315: II. Adagio - Presto
The Four Seasons: Con No.2 in g 'L'estate', RV 315: III. Presto
The Four Seasons: Con No.3 in F 'L'autunno', RV 293: I. Allegro
The Four Seasons: Con No.3 in F 'L'autunno', RV 293: II. Adagio - Presto
The Four Seasons: Con No.3 in F 'L'autunno', RV 293: III. Allegro
The Four Seasons: Con No.4 in f 'L'inverno', RV 297: I. Allegro Non Molto
The Four Seasons: Con No.4 in f 'L'inverno', RV 297: II. Largo
The Four Seasons: Con No.4 in f 'L'inverno', RV 297: III. Allegro
Con No.5 in E flat 'La Tempesta Di Mare', RV 253: I. Presto
Con No.5 in E flat 'La Tempesta Di Mare', RV 253: II. Largo
Con No.5 in E flat 'La Tempesta Di Mare', RV 253: III. Presto
Con No.7 in d, RV 242: I. Allegro
Con No.7 in d, RV 242: II. Largo
Con No.7 in d, RV 242: III. Allegro

Tracks:

Con No.11 in D, RV 210: I. Allegro
Con No.11 in D, RV 210: II. Largo
Con No.11 in D, RV 210: III. Allegro
Con No.10 in B flat 'La Caccia', RV 362: I. Allegro Assai
Con No.10 in B flat 'La Caccia', RV 362: II. Adagio
Con No.10 in B flat 'La Caccia', RV 362: III. Allegro
Con No.9 in d, RV 236: I. Allegro
Con No.9 in d, RV 236: II. Adagio
Con No.9 in d, RV 236: III. Allegro
Con No.8 in g, RV 332: I. Allegro
Con No.8 in g, RV 332: II. Largo
Con No.8 in g, RV 332: III. Allegro
Con No.6 in C, 'Il Piacere', RV 180: I. Allegro
Con No.6 in C, 'Il Piacere', RV 180: II. Largo
Con No.6 in C, 'Il Piacere', RV 180: III. Allegro
Con No.12 in C, RV 178: I. Allegro
Con No.12 in C, RV 178: II. Largo
Con No.12 in C, RV 178: III. Allegro

Amazon.com

Another Four Seasons, but this one shoots to the top of the list. Fabio Biondi's imaginative playing is full of spunk and vigor, delineating Vivaldi's scene-painting without overdoing it. His band matches him with rhythmic vitality; this is one Vivaldi set that holds your interest from start to finish.

In his program notes, Biondi explains the use of the "Manchester" manuscript of the Four Seasons, which was closer to the composer's intentions than editions published later, and he discusses the manuscript sources for the other works. The Four Seasons are the first four concertos of Vivaldi's Opus 8 set of a dozen, titled Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione (The Trial of Harmony and Invention). The others may not share the Seasons' popularity, but they're of comparable excellence, especially in performances as exciting as these. First-rate sound, close-up and immediate, underscores the vibrancy of the performances. Biondi's 1991 Four Seasons on Opus 111 is still in the catalog, but this one scores because Virgin includes the complete Opus 8 on two discs for the price of one. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional Playing .......2007-07-12

Over the years my preference in Vivaldi records has run to Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music but this recording of Il cimento dell'armonica e dell'inventionae (the combat between harmony and invention) is certainly the most energetic and inventive performance that I have heard. What makes this recording different is that Europa Galanta has gone back to the original manuscripts preserved in the libraries of Manchester, Turin and Dresden. The manuscripts reveal a freedom with the manuscript versions on the concerto that does not exist with the published versions. Fabio Biondi examined the manuscripts and where there was multiple versions would sometimes combine ideas from both for tempi but reject notions made by hands other than Vivaldi's. The performance practice that comes out of the manuscripts brings different dynamics and tempi to the performance.

Antonio Vivaldi's opus 8 collection of concerti was meant to astonish with their brilliance of invention, experimenting with instrumental combinations and pushing the orchestral colors to their limits. Arguably, the prominent first four concertos - The Four Seasons - took the idea of invention and colorful description to new heights. However, the popularity of the first four concertos (The Four Seasons) of Vivaldi's opus 8 has come at the expense of relegating the remaining concerti of the collection to obscurity. There is no evidence that Vivaldi arranged the concertos in order of most superior to least and they are recorded here, except for the Four Seasons, out of their numbered order. The fifth concerto, la tempesta de mare, is an exuberant and tuneful concerto with alternate dramatic and calm that seems to depict the fury of a storm. The sixth concerto, Il piacere, explores the idea of pleasure using a laughter-like theme in the first movement, followed by a movement suggesting sleep and a dance-like finale.

The second disc in this set begins with concerto No. 11, which begins with an exuberant first movement followed by a beautifully reflective middle movement with an extensive solo violin part; the Finale is interplay of harmonies with the soloist pitting himself against the other players with a very demanding part. Another of the named concertos, la caccia (or the hunt) - the 10th concerto, follows and is a real tour-de-force with its bold rhythms. The 8th, 9th and 12th concerti explore a richness of melody and invention that is astonishing: the 12th is a joyful concerto with the players leaping to high and low register and the 9th with its more reflective character with the soloist playing a more intimate part.

The music is beautifully recorded and balanced and it is accompanied with a very informative booklet that includes remarks by Fabio Biondi as to how he selected the versions of the concerti played here. A very rewarding set that will be of interest despite how many copies of the Four Seasons you might already have.

Barock'n'roll.......2007-01-19

Truly swinging and joyfull playing by Europa Galante and Biondi. Perhaps not truthfull to original partitur but very exciting and dramatic. Excelent sound!

The Gold Standard for Vivaldi .......2006-08-18

I will not say much about the performance of the SEASONS as others have already done so. Suffice to say that this is one of the essential versions in that it brilliantly realizes the "mannerist" pictorial spirit of the work. For vitality, imagination, and excitement, this is a rendition that, for many listeners, will beat all others hands down.

I would like to comment more extensively on the remaining eight concertos in the set. Generally speaking, the works in Vivaldi's published opuses represent the best of his achievements. Especially noteworthy in Opus 8 are three non-titled concertos: no. 7 in D minor, suffused with aristocratic reserve and melancholy; no. 8 in G minor, with a soulful largo inspired by the polyphonic chorale style; and the theatrically brilliant no. 11 in D major. Then there are two concertos, in D minor and C major, which Vivaldi specified could be played either on oboe or violin; here they are performed on the latter instrument, and I can't blame Biondi for wanting it that way. Of the three pictorial or programmatic works, "La tempesta di mare" and "La caccia" are musically rather insubstantial noise-pieces, while "Il piacere" is a nice evocation of the idea of pleasure which approaches the airy GALANT style.

The violin Fabio Biondi uses here has a fuller sound than the one he used on his version of L'ESTRO ARMONICO (also on Virgin Veritas), and he also avoids many of the fussy eccentricities that marred that recording. I would argue with the speedy tempo taken for the first movement of no. 11 (this seems out of keeping with the imitative texture), but as always with Europa Galante the interpretations are passionate and authoritative, and the recorded sound is crystal-clear. I have a feeling, after listening to this CD, that the Europa Galante way of approaching Italian baroque music will eventually become the standard.

Not your momma's Four Seasons .......2006-04-12

Like most younger generation music enthusiasts, I'm sure, Vivaldi's Four Seasons played a very prominent role, in many cases serving as a portal through which many neophytes passed on their journey into the wonderful world of classical music. Even if attempted, how could one avoid it? These eternally ubiquitous concertos have seem to have been arranged for every instrument from harmonica and banjo to celesta and bass trombone and have served as the themes for countless films, including the Alan Alda picture of the same title. It's this same over exposure that would eventually turn my genuine fondness for these works into one of intense dislike. My disdain was so great that if I ever heard the concertos again it would be too soon. Enter the BBC and their weekly program "Building a Library" which featured Vivaldi's complete Op. 8, "Il Cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione" of which The Four Seasons are the first concerto. Normally I would just skip over a segment I didn't particularly care for, but I was interested in what the reviewer had to say about the other works, none of which, though popular, have ever quite achieved the status of the "Seasons." It was these works that held my attention throughout and I found the playing unbelievably intense and alive, with just the right amount of urgency to make the works sound fresh and exciting but never forced and rushed. That same afternoon, I purchased the CD and I couldn't believe what I heard. Even the "seasons" a work that I thought I could hum in my sleep, jumped off the CD and the room with amazing colors and a vivacity and relevance that was awe inspiring. Yes, it's incredibly fast where it needs to be, yet it's never done at the expense of the music. The music is not at the mercy of virtuoso ensemble, Europa Galante, but rather the other way around, seemingly swept away by their excitement at reshaping these war-horses into something new without distorting Vivaldi's ideas or beautiful melodies. Using a different manuscript than what is normally used, Biondi and company relish every opportunity to demonstrate just how significant these works can be. There are percussive elements and striking use of pizzicato, oboes replacing violins (as was Vivaldi's original intent) and greater prominence to the continuo. In short, this ain't your momma's Four Seasons. Even if you, like me, can't stand the thought of hearing Concerto No. 1 "Spring" ever again, give this incredible recital a chance; I guarantee you'll be blown away. By the way, the sound quality is through the roof, with striking clarity, presence and warmth.

WOW.......2005-12-09

This recording left me stunned and speechless. Every bar makes for fascinating listening, and the frequent surges of adrenalin must be heard to be believed. What's most remarkable is that we've all heard these works 80 million times. I would name highlights, but there are too many. Bravo, Biondi! Have these guys recorded the Brandenburgs? If not, I hope they do soon.

Vivaldi: Violin Concertos (La Tempesta di Mare)

Average customer rating:

HOT RECORDING
lively vivaldi
Do you really like waiting ? Aimez-vous attendre"l'eco" ?
Biondi rulez...
Vibrant Vivaldi

Vivaldi: Violin Concertos (La Tempesta di Mare)
Antonio Vivaldi , Europa Galante , and Fabio Biondi
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00004SRG3
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Tracks:

Con in D, RV 234 'L'inquietudine': I. Allegro Molto
Con in D, RV 234 'L'inquietudine': II. Largo
Con in D, RV 234 'L'inquietudine': III. Allegro
Con in B flat, RV 579 'Concerto Funebre': I. Largo
Con in B flat, RV 579 'Concerto Funebre': II. Allegro Poco Poco
Con in B flat, RV 579 'Concerto Funebre': III. Adagio
Con in B flat, RV 579 'Concerto Funebre': IV. Allegro
Con in F, RV 570 'La Tempesta Di Mare': I. Allegro
Con in F, RV 570 'La Tempesta Di Mare': II. Largo
Con in F, RV 570 'La Tempesta Di Mare': III. Presto
Con in g, RV 439 'La Notte': I. Largo
Con in g, RV 439 'La Notte': II. Presto (Fantasmi)
Con in g, RV 439 'La Notte': III. Largo
Con in g, RV 439 'La Notte': IV. Presto
Con in g, RV 439 'La Notte': V. Largo (Il Sonno)
Con in g, RV 439 'La Notte': VI. Allegro
Con in A, RV 552 'Per Eco In Lontano': I. Allegro
Con in A, RV 552 'Per Eco In Lontano': II. Larghetto
Con in A, RV 552 'Per Eco In Lontano': III. Allegro
Con in E, RV 270 'Il Riposo - Per Il Natale': I. Allegro
Con in E, RV 270 'Il Riposo - Per Il Natale': II. Adagio
Con in E, RV 270 'Il Riposo - Per Il Natale': III. Allegro
Con in g, RV 531: I. Allegro
Con in g, RV 531: II. Largo
Con in g, RV 531: III. Allegro

Amazon.com

You say your favorite Vivaldi passage is the Four Seasons summer storm? Well, here's a disc for you. Fabio Biondi and the Europa Galante (known to many for their bestselling Seasons disc) focus on concerti con titoli, the titled concertos the Red Priest wrote that are full of inventive drama and expression. Writing for his student orchestra, the composer employed plenty of creativity in his instrumentation, and, as evidenced on a few tracks here, he wasn't beyond recycling motifs from his older works. But just give this exciting disc a listen. The Concerto funebre (RV 579) is sweet, yet somber; the six-movement La notte (RV 439) is weird and ominous; and the stormy seas of La tempesta di mare really come alive in Europa Galante's hands. Biondi and his ensemble never try to steal the show from these works; they let the music speak for itself. Some period-instrument groups sound a little ragged, but this one gets it just right and delivers a knockout, taut performance. A great disc for Baroque lovers. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

HOT RECORDING.......2006-03-27

It has been said that Vivaldi's Violin Concerti can give one the impression that he wrote the same concerto about a 1000 times. Perhaps the reason for the aforesaid impression is that there are many recordings and/or performances that exhibit little imagination in the programming of the concertos or in the playing of same. In other words, they border on being rather boring with a feeling of repeativeness. This recording is the exception. Fabio Biondi and the Europa Galante in this recording perform these concertos in a "hot" and most exciting manner that made me feel that I was hearing them for the very first time. I know that the programming of the disc also had a lot to do with me not getting bored while listening to this recording. Fabio Biondi and the Europa Galante are an "original" instrumental group without even a hint of the astringency usually associated with "original" instruments. Their playing is rather sweet in the slow movements as it is certainly very vigorous in the fast movements with no "mouth puckering" bite! I really loved the concerto for two cellos; it is very richly textured and sonorous; plus Europa Galante plays it splendidly.

Believe me, I found this Vivaldi recording, for once, to be very exciting and a most enjoyable listening experience!

If you want to hear a "hot" recording of some Vivaldi at his best, buy this disc.

lively vivaldi.......2005-11-09

I'm not a baroque expert as some of the other reviewers seem to be. I do listen to a lot of music and have heard much Vivaldi -- most frequently the Four Seasons warhorse from Opus 8. This Vivaldi is quite enjoyable, very bright and very well played, energetic and well-recorded. My personal favorite was the last work for two cellos. The slow movement is absolutely beautiful. RV 270 is also quite excellent. This is a worthwhile purchase. Sometimes when period groups play his music Vivaldi sounds mummified but not here. Recommended.

Do you really like waiting ? Aimez-vous attendre"l'eco" ?.......2003-02-22

I know Biondi and Europa Galante since they were playing on the label Opus 111. I am a great fan of Europa galante. But...I was quite disappointed when I heard this CD. Mainly because I did not find Biondi the arrogant. But he can't certainly not played like "a little electric tornado" in the "Concerto funebre". It's the same in Concerto "Per eco in lontano". I particularly hate this music with this boring echo;the same music which is repeated from " outer space". The Concerto "Il riposo.."is perfect to relax with the dog. "L'inquietude" is outstanding. Even better than the Carmignola version on Divox Antiqua (1995). "La tempesta di mare" and La Notte" are enough strange and captivating to be considered as interesting performances. But they not be compared with the fabulous interpretation of Jean-Christophe Spinosi (Ensemble Matheus-2002-Label Naive). Finally the "Concerto for 2 cellos and orchestra" has already been recorded in 1993 by Europa Galante(album "Vivaldi Concerti" (Vol.22. Opus 111)). So no great surprise for me there. A very good CD to someone who want to discover Vivaldi with talentuous musicians.

Biondi rulez..........2002-01-11

I know I have been very negative in my other reviews of Biondi-cds. Actually, I almost take it back!
He is NOT an opera-conductor, period. But he IS a brilliant violinist! His playing in the Vivaldi concertos is just outstanding. The orchestra is also amazing. I really recommends this set of concertos to anyone not familiar with the Biondi legacy!

Vibrant Vivaldi.......2001-06-12

Vivaldi is played with excitement by Europa Galante, a string and woodwind orchestra 13 strong here. Some collections of Vivaldi concertos can sound a bit monotonous, but not this carefully selected group of emotively titled short pieces. Instrumentation is varied, the playing is enthusiastic and energetic as needed, and the strings really bite in the staccato "Sea Tempest," the waves slapping hard on the boat. The 6-movement "Night" is remarkably eerie and ghostly, particularly if you can cleanse your ears of all the chromatic pieces written since and try to listen with 18th century expectations. RV 234 is full of unsettling "Apprehension" no matter what later music you have heard, displaying a harried and rapidly modulated sense of harmonic uncertainty. The brief notes with the CD are a slightly strange mixture of English and untranslated Italiano. Fresh and well worth listening closely.

Average customer rating:

Finally, Fast Enough!!!!
Study in Color
Vivaldi and Europa Galante Make a Joyful Noise
Who says baroque stuff can't be electrifying?
- Biondi is still surprising- Grâce à Pisendel

Vivaldi: Concerti per mandolini
Antonio Vivaldi , Fabio Biondi , and Europa Galante
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Vivaldi: Concerti con molti strumenti, Vol. 2
Vivaldi: Violin Concertos (La Tempesta di Mare)
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Concert for the Prince of Poland
Boccherini: String Quintets; Minuet in A /Europa Galante * Biondi

ASIN: B00005UV9F
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Molto
II. Andante Molto
III. Allegro
I. [Allegro]
II. Larghetto
III. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. [Lento]
III. Allegro
I. [Allegro]
II. Largo
III. [Allegro]
I. Allegro
II. Largo A Piacimento
III. Allegro

Amazon.com

The seven Concerti per Mandolini are diverse enough to disprove the frequently heard accusation that all Vivaldi concertos sound alike. Though they are cast in the same three-movement structure, each has its own character, from playful, ingratiating charm to ardor, high drama, and lamentatious intensity. The fast movements are stately and brilliant with scintillating running passages; the slow ones are songful, pleading, and melancholy. Though at times Vivaldi succumbs to his predilection for sequences, these pieces have an incredible variety of tonality, mood, and color, employing a large number of instruments in many arresting combinations; the final one requires 17 instruments. In addition to the solo mandolins, there are standard and unusual strings and winds, including such rarities as chalumeaux, theorbo, viole all'inglese, and violini in tromba marina. The performances, at lowered pitch, are splendid throughout: brilliant in the fast, virtuosic movements, perfect in intonation and balance, pure in sound, invariably expressive, often passionate. The players use vibrato sparingly and add elegant ornamentation and cadenzas. Biondi, director and concertmaster, has a wonderfully sweet tone and leads without dominating the group. One cavil: the musicians get louder on all ascending passages and softer on all descending ones, and they make a long pause before every final note. This approach may be stylistically "authentic," but it becomes an annoying mannerism through overuse and exaggeration. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Finally, Fast Enough!!!!.......2007-02-17

The Concerto for Diverse Instruments (called Two Mandolins on this CD) a piece that I had an old LP of with Bernstein & the NY Philharmonic, but until now, no one has really played it with the speed and spirit that old LP recording had. I really do recommend this CD and also will be buying more of Fabio Biondi's materials as time goes on. While he's no Bernstein, his work on this particular piece surpasses that of the great master!

Study in Color.......2006-03-25

Admittedly I bought this CD because it was the only recording of RV 558 that I could find in Hong kong. This is one of the most bizarre concerti grosso that has ever been composed; it is scored for 2 violini in trombe marina, 2 recorders, 2 mandolins, 2 chalemeaux, 2 theorbos and cello, in addition to strings and continuo (performed here on harpsichord). Clearly Vivaldi wanted to make a splash with this piece and he threw in everything in the back closet; the alternation of tone colors is really amazing.

A word about these instruments, working backwards. The theorbo is an obsolete but astonishingly lovely member of the lute family; it's something like a cross between a harp (with 8 unfretted bass strings that can sound only a single note) and a twelve string guitar (with 6 pairs of fretted strings) but pitched low--the upper two strings are not considerably higher than the two strings below them, which makes for ease of fingering but limits the upper range. The chalemeaux are precursors of the clarinet and are aurally difficult to distinguish from their progeny. Mandolins are plucked/strummed stringed instruments with 4 pairs of strings tuned like a violin, and these instruments were most likely played by violinists. The violins in trombe marina are somewhat controversial; Europa Galante come down firmly on the side of the score that these are essentially regular violins fixed with an asymmetric bridge which causes a sort of buzzing or rattling sound rather similar to the buzziness of the harpsichord, oddly enough, and which was thought to imitate the sound of the obsolete and incredibly bizarre tromba marina. But other scholars have argued that the parts were meant for performance on actual trombe marina. The "Sea Trumpet" was in fact a stringed instrument thought to sound like a trumpet but be more agile (trumpets in those times did not have valves and so had a very limited pitch choice--they were essentially bugles.). It has only a single melodic string, rather long, but up to 50 strings that resonate with sympathetic vibration with the melodic string. To make things even more curious, only harmonics were played on the instrument, throwing the intonation of certain pitches completely out of the norm. The tromba marina gets its name in part because it was said to be heard best at a distance, as over a body of water. I can testify that this is true--it's really a hideous sound that you wouldn't want to hear close up, something like a viola being scratched against a chalkboard. It's hard for me to believe that Vivaldi really composed this piece not just for one tromba marina, but for two; beyond the horror of the noise lies the fact that the parts probably aren't even close to possible on the tromba marina, but lie perfectly well on the violin.

At any rate, the piece is about color in a way that probably no one other than Bach conceived of for a very long time. And herein lies my complaint (a minor one); the performance is lovely, but I sometimes find the harpsichord overwhelming. It's especially difficult to hear the theorbos--they're so low; and to distinguish the violins in trombe marina sometimes--they match the harpsichord sound too much. Granted, in the Concerto RV 555, the two harpsichords are solo instruments and should be treated as such. But how RV 558 would flourish with less harpsichord--it would be such a treat.

At any rate, these are all delightful pieces, really some of Vivaldi at his best if you're tired of the Four Seasons, and certainly worthwhile performances.

Vivaldi and Europa Galante Make a Joyful Noise.......2004-04-27

As all reviewers on this page seem to agree, the first order of business is to jettison the old saw that Vivaldi wrote the same concerto 500 times. Certainly he can be faulted, as he always will, for falling back on too-obvious formulae (those oft-cited repeated sequences of his), but as for sounding alike: Just try the jovial, gallant first movement of RV 425 for solo mandolin and follow it with the somber, near-tragic opening of RV 319 for violin, oboes, and bassoon. Next, give RV 558 a spin; how different the grand, heroic sweep of this first movement!

Now that we've disposed of the chestnut about the sameness of the concerti, we can talk about the performances of Biondi and Europa Galante. I find them enthrallingly virtuosic in the Bach-like noodlings required of the two violins and two cellos in RV 564, a truly captivating work reminiscent, for me, of the Third Brandenburg. On the other hand, Biondi captures perfectly the sober mood of RV 319, where sentiment overrules virtuosity.

The two concertos for mandolins (RV 532 and RV 425) are some of Vivaldi's most genial, and they emerge with the right sense of dash and wit, while the two concerti RV 558 and RV 555 for "molti strumenti" make a grand noise, especially those raspy, rattling violini in tromba marina! On the other hand, the recorders, chalumeaux, theorbos, and cellos add a tenderness and grace in their solos that balance out the acerbity of these strange instruments. RV 555 increases the stereophonic effects with two harpsichords and with three violins against two viole all'inglese and the aforementioned cellos. In all, it's a remarkable sound world Vivaldi created in these two works, like nothing else in the concerto literature, and the virtuosi of Europa Galante make the music sound every bit as important as it should.

The recording, made in a church, is both close-up and highly reverberant, which takes a little getting used to, but once the ear adjusts, it reveals the dividends paid by the close miking. The solos all emerge with crystal clarity and timbral purity, while the ensemble playing is detailed and analytical without being clinical, thanks to that reverb. Though the recording tends to highlight the high end of things, it is probably true to the big, bright sound picture Vivaldi "saw" when he conducted his all-girl orchestra at the Ospedale della Pieta.

An exciting CD indeed.

Who says baroque stuff can't be electrifying?.......2004-01-13

This is one of the most encouraging and exciting discs in 2002! After a few hours of Vivaldi listening, one often gets the impression that he spinned out new concerti by applying the same formula - they all sound vaguely the same, after all. Vivaldi fatigue I call it. That's all the more why we need a disc like this: Biondi and his superb Europa Galante show that Vivaldi concerti can be full of surprises and excitement, and extremely colourful writings. These are readings of high drama and strong emotions, it's hard to imagine anybody not moved by the sheer energy level and dedication. Concerto RV 576 gets a superb airing especially.

- Biondi is still surprising- Grâce à Pisendel.......2003-02-14

At first, I had to be convinced. I have to admit it was long. Now it's done. Well done.
Fabio Biondi is at his best in the "Concerto en sol mineur" (dédié à Pisendel(RV 319)". In "Concerto en ut majeur" (RV 558), Jean-Christophe Spinosi (do you know him and his ensemble "Matheus" (Naive)) was able to gave more surrealistic moments. But the Europa Galante version is very interesting.

Tracks:

I Allegro
II Menuet-Allegro Assai
I Allegro
II Andante
III Allegro
I Allegro
II Andante
III Allegro Assai
I Andante Sostenuto
Allegro Assai
II Andantino Con Moto
III Andante Sostenuto
Allegro Con Molto
I Allegro Assai
II Andantino Con Moto
III Presto

Customer Reviews:

53 Minutes .......2007-06-10

Before I listened, I was sore that the recording was only 53 minutes long. Yes, I would have valued a few filler sinfonias. But.. be forewarned: the music on this CD is rich and colorful.

You get your money's worth.

Europa Galante have never sounded so good... horns... multiple double-basses, and an excellent acoustic. The ensemble is held together with precise control.

Interestingly enough, I found the Vivaldi work a snoozer... If you bought IGA's account of Boccherini's Casa del Diavolo, this one is even better.

5 * * * * *

Vivaldi : L'estro armonico / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante

Average customer rating:

J.S. Bach liked it and so did I !!
Perfection
Vibrant Vivaldi (Despite Biondi)
BRILLIANT
Not a good choice

Vivaldi : L'estro armonico / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
Antonio Vivaldi , Fabio Biondi , and Europa Galante
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Vivaldi - Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione / Europa Galante, Biondi
Vivaldi: Violin Concertos (La Tempesta di Mare)
Vivaldi: Concerti per mandolini
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Vivaldi: La Stravaganza

ASIN: B000007TKK
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

Concerto No.2 In G Minor: 1. Adagio e Spiccato
Concerto No.2 In G Minor: 2. Allegro
Concerto No.2 In G Minor: 3. Larghetto
Concerto No.2 In G Minor: 4. Allegro
Concerto No.1 in D major: 1. Allegro
Concerto No.1 in D major: 2. Largo e spiccato
Concerto No.1 in D major: 3. Allegro
Concerto No.6 In A Minor: 1. Allegro
Concerto No.6 In A Minor: 2. Largo
Concerto No.6 In A Minor: 3. Presto
Concerto No.5 In A Major: 1. Allegro
Concerto No.5 In A Major: 2. Largo
Concerto No.5 In A Major: 3. Allegro
Concerto No.4 In E Minor: 1. Andante
Concerto No.4 In E Minor: 2. Allegro assai
Concerto No.4 In E Minor: 3. Adagio
Concerto No.4 In E Minor: 4. Allegro
Concerto No.3 In G Major: 1. Allegro
Concerto No.3 In G Major: 2. Largo
Concerto No.3 In G Major: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

Concerto No.8 In A Minor, RV522: 1. Andante
Concerto No.8 In A Minor, RV522: 2. Larghetto e spiritoso
Concerto No.8 In A Minor, RV522: 3. Allegro
Concerto No.7 In F Major, RV567: 1. Andante
Concerto No.7 In F Major, RV567: 2. Adagio
Concerto No.7 In F Major, RV567: 3. Allegro
Concerto No.7 In F Major, RV567: 4. Adagio
Concerto No.7 In F Major, RV567: 5. Allegro
Concerto No. 11 In D Minor, RV565: 1. Allegro
Concerto No. 11 In D Minor, RV565: 2. Adagio e spiccato
Concerto No. 11 In D Minor, RV565: 3. Allegro
Concerto No. 11 In D Minor, RV565: 4. Largo e spiccato
Concerto No. 11 In D Minor, RV565: 5. Allegro
Concerto No.9 In D Major, RV 230: 1. Allegro
Concerto No.9 In D Major, RV 230: 2. Larghetto
Concerto No.9 In D Major, RV 230: 3. Allegro
Concerto No.10 In B Minor, RV580: 1. Allegro
Concerto No.10 In B Minor, RV580: 2. Largo e spiccato
Concerto No.10 In B Minor, RV580: 3. Allegro
Concerto No.12 In E Major, RV265: 1. Allegro
Concerto No.12 In E Major, RV265: 2. Largo e spiccato
Concerto No.12 In E Major, RV265: 3. Allegro

Amazon.com

This was the great collection of 12 varied and exciting violin concertos that turned Bach on to concerto writing. In fact, he transcribed several of these works for solo harpsichord, organ--even for harpsichords and orchestra. What fascinated him most was the balanced, three-movement form, the brilliance of the solo passages, the tunefulness of the music generally, and Vivaldi's seemingly inexhaustible storehouse of invention. When a composer ventured to publish a collection such as this, he was making a major statement. This is one of the really big ones in Baroque music, and it's performed with splendid authority and an unrivaled sense of sheer joy. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

J.S. Bach liked it and so did I !!.......2007-04-22

The more I hear Vivaldi, the more I see the Four Seasons as a little strand of the composer's vast output and inspired work. L'estro Armonico is totally upbeat, and so much so that some pieces could even be the precursors of tango, flamenco, and polka. Don't be surprised if this music moves you to dance.

Perfection.......2007-03-05

I have been listening to Vivaldi's L'estro armonico for over 30 years, the Academy of St Martins in the Field's 1975 recording got me hooked, now it would sound a bit dull, then the Academy of Ancient Music's 1980 period instrument version was better, and still sounds pretty good, then the English Concert's version and so on. I used to dream of a perfect interpretation of this work, and on first hearing this version I knew this was it, a perfect recording of a very important work. But I guess it all boils down to whether you love or hate Biondi, I obviously love him. Baroque music is all about interpretation, not just playing the notes on a published score which was only meant as a guide for a virtuoso performer. There was little point in publishing music too difficult for a prospective buyer. I will concede that Biondi stretches it a bit sometimes, like his Opus 8, but not here.
There is little point in going on, if you prefer your Vivaldi unornamented as published, thats OK, but I think this is a wonderful interpretation, I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

Vibrant Vivaldi (Despite Biondi).......2006-08-15

Formed in 1990 as one of Italy's pioneering period instrument ensembles, Europa Galante (with its leader Fabio Biondi) is decidedly in the "subjective" camp of period instrument performers - those who believe that creating an exciting experience for modern-day listeners is more important than pure "authenticity". They have succeeded in cultivating a distinctively Italian period-instrument sound - more vibrato and legato than most baroque players - that seems a natural outgrowth of the sounds of the Italian language. At their best, they produce an incredibly warm, sweet, vocal string sound, such as can be heard at the beginning of the D major violin concerto on this set (track 14 of disc 2). In addition to following standard baroque orthodoxies, they often take great liberties with their music, using extreme changes of tempo and dynamics and the percussive effects of a prominent continuo section to create a dramatic experience. Since these players are Italian, Vivaldi is their birthright, and their passionate interpretations could not be more different from the anemic sound that sometimes comes from northern European period players.

Although he brings a welcome Italianate flair to the music, to my taste Fabio Biondi's style on this recording is simply too eccentric: he feels the need to play every phrase with different articulations and amounts of vibrato, and to cram in superfluous ornaments at incredibly fast tempos (to say nothing of his un-beautiful execution of trills). I almost feel that he concentrates on surface thrills and sensual aspects of the music at the expense of structural clarity and coherence, and that he plays with the music rather than plays it. He is obviously trying to bring the music alive, but at its worst his approach comes off as fussy and flaky. To be fair, my unfavorable impression may be due partly to the rather dry, thin, constricted timbre of his violin on this disc; I own other Biondi/Europa Galante CD's that show him to much better advantage.

As might be expected, the strongest tracks on this set are the concerti grossi and the concertos for multiple violins, where Biondi's eccentricities are tempered by his colleagues, and the efforts of the band as a whole cohere to produce vibrant, exciting, meaningful performances. That not many complete recordings of Vivaldi's Opus 3 on period instruments are available may mean that this mid-priced set will be a viable choice for many listeners. For my part, I have decided that I can live with Biondi's shortcomings and love Europa Galante and Vivaldi.

BRILLIANT.......2006-05-24

This is clearly one of my favorite baroque albums; it is some of the best music Vivaldi ever wrote. The performance is splendid.

Not a good choice.......2004-07-01

I had 3 excellent versions of Vivaldi's opus 3 (I Solisti Veneti, I Musici and N. Marriner), but I wanted a new version to enjoy it with real DDD sound. Unfortunately, I'm very dissapointed by this CD. Although I have listened it many times to see if can get used to it, I cannot like this performance. Europa Galante is an excellent ensemble, but in my opinion the problem here was the conductor.

Apparently Biondi tried to be "original" at any cost, so in each concerto he needs to add some fancy "effects" as he thought this music needs to be made more interesting. As a result you hear a sharp attack of the notes in one bar, the next bar is played legato, the following bar is with dotted notes, now the next bar is pianissimo,and now the following is fortissimo and so on... There is never a steady moment where the music can expand and you can feel the Harmony. You are just shaken around. The dynamics is exaggerated (huge and senseless dynamic jumps), the duration of some silences is exaggerated, he adds some annoying ritardandos that destroy the natural progression of the melodic line, etc. In addition, there are a lot of unnecessary 'embellishment' notes, much beyond what the music can stand.

These concertos contain very beautiful slow tempos that are treated here without respect. In some of them the chords are played so forte that it sounds as if someone were slashing the violins, destroying the subtle atmosphere of the music; in others, the soloist insists with his melismatic ornamental notes that trivializes the music up to a point of making it sound almost vulgar. I recognize that there are some good movements and the continuo part is very good, but I had a hard time for most of this disc because of the hyperkinetic and frantic style. For some moments I felt so annoyed that if this had been a live performance I would have tempted to stand up and shout: Could you please just play it how it was written! This CD will not show you L'Estro Armonico as Vivaldi deserves. It seems as if the soloist is much more interested in just showing of his fingering dexterity, no matter how much damage to the music is done. Finally I gave away this CD and purchased the version by C. Hogwood. That one was definitely better.

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Fabio Biondi & Europa Galante

Average customer rating:

Blown Away
Excellent, imaginative interpretation
Wow. Breathtaking.
Even I can tell the difference
Knocked my socks off!

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Fabio Biondi & Europa Galante
Fabio Biondi , Antonio Vivaldi , Fabio Biondi , and Europa Galante
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

JS Bach: Violin Concertos - Fabrio Biondi/Europa Galante
Vivaldi: Violin Concertos (La Tempesta di Mare)
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Vivaldi: Concerti per mandolini
Vivaldi : L'estro armonico / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante

ASIN: B00007KMRW
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Adagio-Presto
III. Presto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Largo
III. Presto
I. Presto
II. Largo
III. Presto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio E Spiccato
III. Allegro
IV. Largo E Spiccato
V. Allegretto
I. Allegro
II. Larghetto E Spiritoso
III. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Largo E Spiccato
III. Allegro

Amazon.com

Is there any way a violinist can make Vivaldi's Four Seasons not sound like elevator music nowadays? Judging by this release, the answer is "yes." Fabio Biondi leads his Europa Galante in crisp performances which do not distort the music either dynamically or rhythmically, and his playing is so clear, clean and clever that you'll hear new things amidst music you thought you, yourself, could play in your sleep. The storm is surprisingly stormy without being exaggerated, for instance, and the dance-like opening to Autumn is positively toe-tapping. The harpsichord which opens "Winter" is bone-chilling and the pizzicato strings in its second movement--taken quickly--are nicely brittle. Biondi emphasizes the lower strings elsewhere so that we experience a texture not often noticed, but obviously present. The CD is filled out with the almost equally famous "La tempersta del mare" concerto and three from "L'estro armonico," all played with the same determination and excellence. A glorious disc. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Blown Away.......2007-02-01

There are hardly words that can describe this amazing recording.Yes, I too, stopped my car in order to absorb the moment of music. My congratulations to Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante, who possess an astonishingly unique ability to access the composer and the instrument. Bravo, triple bravo!

Excellent, imaginative interpretation.......2007-01-16

The first time I heard Fabio Biondi perform "The Four Seasons" on the radio, I did not recognize that this was the famous piece by Vivaldi - the interpretation was so original and the playing so incisive, that I thought that some more modern work was being performed (this was especially true of "Winter"). It seems that Biondi had thought through every note and nuance, so the end result is startingly original. I highly recommend this recording, even if you have other versions of "The Four Seasons".

Wow. Breathtaking........2006-11-15

Cannot help thinking Vivaldi would have loved this breathtaking rendition. Quite agree with other reviews. I too pulled off the road and scrambled to note down the recording details. Slight merging of notes as Mr.Alan Lekan notes is a minor flaw against other qualities of the recording. Simply has to heard. Bravo.

Even I can tell the difference.......2006-09-09

Everyone has already heard too much of "The Four Seasons," which comprise the first four of the set of 12 concerti presented here. At the same time, its ubiquity, coupled with its quality, makes it a necessary part of any classical starter collection. To cut to the chase: if you're going to have a classical collection, and if Vivaldi is to be part of it, make this the version you choose.

I am not an expert listener. I know little about music and can barely tell a fugue from a toccata. So I don't know what to make about complaints regarding the supposed liberties that Fabio Biondi takes with Vivaldi's written music, with the time signatures or with improvisations where they aren't called for. Nor can I comment regarding historically accurate performance practice vs. other ways of playing this music. What I do know is that even I can discern a difference - a vast, immeasurable gulf - between this music as it is played here by Biondi and his ensemble, Europa Galante, and this music as I've heard it played by anyone else. These concertos are played crisply, with an exciting sense of rhythm that makes the music seem to bounce; to take one example for comparison, Ozawa's Four Seasons on Telarc seems limp, rhythmically soft, and frankly boring. One is elevator music; the other, music to listen to.

Unless you're the sort of highly discriminating, perhaps anal-retentive connoisseur of Baroque music who can afford to nitpick Biondi and Europa Galante for their stylistic transgressions, this is the Vivaldi you need to hear. Even an ignoramus like me can tell the difference.

Knocked my socks off!.......2006-03-24

The playing of this rendition of The Four Seasons made me pull off the road just to listen. Once you hear this recording you'll fall in love with The Four Seasons all over again. It makes a great gift too.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely Exhilirating!
One of his best
Man, I just love this CD
This is my all-time favorite CD.
Soothing, refreshing, and beautiful.

Europa
Chris Spheeris , and Paul Voudouris
Manufacturer: Essence Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000008PZB
Release Date: 1995-09-08

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Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Exhilirating!.......2004-12-01

I can't count how many times I have listen to this cd since I purchased it in '95. When I am having a dinner party, or just cleaning up the house. it's one that is sure to be played. I definitely recommend this cd. It makes you feel really good inside. The music Chris Spheeris creates has a very sexy sound to it.

One of his best.......2001-09-26

I first heard Chris Spheeris while in Las Vegas at the Luxor hotel in a gift shop. His music was play ing and it was beautiful. I asked the cashier what is that music playing and she showed me the CD which they were on sale there. I have loved it ever since and when other people hear it playing they have been enchanted with it also. The acoutics are fantastic.

Man, I just love this CD.......2001-05-26

It's so lush and rhythmic. Makes nice background music for the soundtrack of your day to day life.

This is my all-time favorite CD........1999-08-06

This music is lush and layered. It has a delicate European flavor to it that is very palatable to the domestic tongue. There is something special about the combination of piano with acoustic guitar that's like peas and carrots. And, oh yes, it's the music that my wife and I fell in love to.

Soothing, refreshing, and beautiful........1998-05-30

I love this CD! It is the first CD I have listened to by these artists, and now I am looking into their other works. The music on this CD is peaceful, envigorating, relaxing, and exciting- all at the same time. I enjoy listening to it both while doing something else or just listening! It's great new age music and has wonderful sound.

Vivaldi: Concerti con molti strumenti, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Vivaldi's Variety
Amazing
Super Ka-Pow Fun Time Happy Maximum Diversion

Vivaldi: Concerti con molti strumenti, Vol. 2
Fabio Biondi , Antonio Vivaldi , and Europa Galante
Manufacturer: Virgin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000B0QRG0
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

I Andante
II Grave
III Allegro (With Timpani)
[II] Grave (Per Pisendel) - Dresden Alternative Version For THe Second Movement (Solo Violin, Strings and Organ)
I Allegro Assai
II Largo
III Allegro
I Adagio - Allegro
II Grave (Largo)
III Allegro
I Allegro
II Largo
III Allegro
I Allegro
II Largo
III Allegro Molto
I Allegro
II Largo
III Allegro
I Lento - Allegro
II Largo
III Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Vivaldi's Variety.......2007-01-18

This disc gives the lie to the cliche that Vivaldi wrote the same concerto six hundred times. This isn't simply a matter of the great variety of instruments serving as soloiists (one concerto boasts a group of soloists including a violin, two hunting horns, two oboes, and timpani!). In Fabio Biondi, Vivaldi finds a performer and conductor whose own inventiveness complements that of the composer's. The spaciousness of the recording adds to the alluring sounds produced by Europa Galante, even in the all-strings concerto for four violins (not the familiar B minor Concerto that Bach transcribed in his Concerto for Four Harpsichords, but an equally arresting work.) All in all an exuberant and entertaining disc, although even with such variety I can only enjoy Vivaldi one concerto per hearing.

Amazing.......2006-07-15

Europa Galante is amazing they have elevated my spirits to new high. All you need to do is listen to the first track and you will be sold. I am now looking at other CD by Europa Galante and will have to visit one of their concerts one day. I don't know too much about Classical music but the greats and the stuff most people listen to. Well, they played the greats (Vivaldi) but it sounds so much greater and much more fun. If you want a burst of energy this is the CD.

Super Ka-Pow Fun Time Happy Maximum Diversion.......2005-12-07

RV 569 has been a favorite ever since I received an ASMF recording of it as a child. Biondi and company give it an exhilarating performance, one that will take your breath away. They still manage to sound very sweet, even when they have you on the edge of your seat. The quality of the recording is excellent, although I rather enjoyed the more "spacious" recorded sound of The King's Consort performing the same repertoire on Hyperion with almost identical forces. Both recordings possess a distinctly different ambience. One listen to RV 566 should persuade any music lover of this new release's merits. Europa Galante's woodwinds are delightfully sonorous and the continuo is prominently plucky and varied nicely in a dramatic fashion. Although it might seem uncharacteristic of Biondi's reputation as a maniac, he often utilizes understatement and simplicity to enhance the music's rhythmic vitality and it works especially well here. This release is obviously a must have for anyone who buys these sorts of recordings, but it's also very accessible music that would make an ideal gift for a child or perhaps someone just getting into music. This release is not beyond criticism, however lovely it may be. There are a few brief spots where the solo playing isn't "technically" perfect, but it doesn't necessarily detract from the enjoyment of the performances.

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