Concert for the Prince of Poland
by: Vivaldi, Manze, Academy of Ancient Music
Price: $9.98
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Amazon.com:
Here, at a bargain price, is a real treat: the lively, elegant, musically alert Andrew Manze leading and playing a handful of wonderful Vivaldi concerti preceded by a little Sinfonia. The concerti, all backed up by the usual strings, are for various combinations of instruments. Two are straight violin concerti (playful and bright). One is for violin and three echo violins that repeat what the lead violin has done, but at a distance from the other performers (very entertaining). The most beautiful is for lute and viola d'amore (a gentle, dark texture). The CD ends with one scored for recorders, chalumeaux, mandolins, therobos, cello, and special violins, which is a riot of sound, with a particularly jaunty first movement. The disc's title refers to a visit to Venice in 1740 by Frederick Christian, the Prince Elector of Saxony, during which Vivaldi's music was performed. He was a lucky prince, and we're lucky to have this CD. As usual, Manze and the Academy of Ancient Music are superb.--Robert Levine
Here, at a bargain price, is a real treat: the lively, elegant, musically alert Andrew Manze leading and playing a handful of wonderful Vivaldi concerti preceded by a little Sinfonia. The concerti, all backed up by the usual strings, are for various combinations of instruments. Two are straight violin concerti (playful and bright). One is for violin and three echo violins that repeat what the lead violin has done, but at a distance from the other performers (very entertaining). The most beautiful is for lute and viola d'amore (a gentle, dark texture). The CD ends with one scored for recorders, chalumeaux, mandolins, therobos, cello, and special violins, which is a riot of sound, with a particularly jaunty first movement. The disc's title refers to a visit to Venice in 1740 by Frederick Christian, the Prince Elector of Saxony, during which Vivaldi's music was performed. He was a lucky prince, and we're lucky to have this CD. As usual, Manze and the Academy of Ancient Music are superb.--Robert Levine
Disc 1:
- Sinfonia in G major: Allegro molto
- Sinfonia in G major: Andante
- Sinfonia in G major: Allegro
- Violin Concerto in E-flat major: Presto
- Violin Concerto in E-flat major: Largo
- Violin Concerto in E-flat major: Presto
- Concerto in D minor: Allegro
- Concerto in D minor: Largo
- Concerto in D minor: Allegro
- Concerto in A major: Allegro
- Concerto in A major: Larghetto
- Concerto in A major: Allegro
- Violin Concerto in C major: Allegro
- Violin Concerto in C major: Largo e cantabile
- Violin Concerto in C major: Allegro
- Concerto in C major: Allegro molto
- Concerto in C major: Andante
- Concerto in C major: Allegro
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Vivaldi: Toe-Tapping Permitted
As the other reviewers clearly note, this is an excellent recording. I have always been a big fan of the Harmonia Mundi label. Beautiful sound production, first-rate musicians, almost always with a period-instrument approach or focus, and, I must superficially admit, fantastic album covers! Although Vivaldi is often overlooked among the list of "great composers," at least as written about by Harold C. Schonberg and Michael Steen, he (Vivaldi) certainly ranks among the Beethovens of this world. (I ... Read More
Rating: - Music for a historical event
Most Vivaldi recordings contain programs selected either by the medium (all bassoon concertos, for example) or by the opus number (all the concertos from Opus 8).This one is utterly unique, and that fact--in addition to the splendid performances--makes it especially interesting. The CD contains music performed (and at least partly written for) a specific event in Venice--a visit by Prince Frederick Christian, the son of the King of Poland. He was known to be very interested in music, so 3 special ... Read More
Rating: - What elegance and grace is contained here
The Academy of Ancient Music has done a wonderful job with this CD of the 4 Concertos written by Vivaldi in honor of the vist of Prince Frederick Christian, Prince of Poland, to Venice. The works were spread out over several evenings so that they could be enjoyed by the illustrious guests. The Academy of Ancient Music does a superb job with this collection of music that required use of instruments rarely used today.
Sinfonia in G major dazzles us with joyful pomp. The third movement echoes ... Read More
Rating: - Diversity is your best bet
The final work on this superb CD is one of Vivaldi's true masterworks.Like his incredibly famous Four Seasons, this work has true inspiration and a sound that is second to none.This Concerto in C is written for an astonishing array of diverse instruments.My favorite is the one that sounds just like a clarinet, although the clarinet, as we know it today, was not invented until decades later. This is a work that musicians just seem to absolutely adore.This is my third recording of this piece and in ... Read More
Rating: - Just sublime
I bought this fantastic CD over a year ago and it became my most cherished 'Classics' possession.Then thieves broke in to my home and stole it along with many others.I've finally had it replaced by the insurance company, and am now revisting the beautiful sounds of this program.Superb playing, great collection of works, and the usual sublime recording quality from a HM production.This has to be one of the essential Vivaldi recordings, especially valued given the lower price.
- Vivaldi: Toe-Tapping PermittedAs the other reviewers clearly note, this is an excellent recording. I have always been a big fan of the Harmonia Mundi label. Beautiful sound production, first-rate musicians, almost always with a period-instrument approach or focus, and, I must superficially admit, fantastic album covers! Although Vivaldi is often overlooked among the list of "great composers," at least as written about by Harold C. Schonberg and Michael Steen, he (Vivaldi) certainly ranks among the Beethovens of this world. (I ... Read More
- Music for a historical eventMost Vivaldi recordings contain programs selected either by the medium (all bassoon concertos, for example) or by the opus number (all the concertos from Opus 8).This one is utterly unique, and that fact--in addition to the splendid performances--makes it especially interesting. The CD contains music performed (and at least partly written for) a specific event in Venice--a visit by Prince Frederick Christian, the son of the King of Poland. He was known to be very interested in music, so 3 special ... Read More
- What elegance and grace is contained hereThe Academy of Ancient Music has done a wonderful job with this CD of the 4 Concertos written by Vivaldi in honor of the vist of Prince Frederick Christian, Prince of Poland, to Venice. The works were spread out over several evenings so that they could be enjoyed by the illustrious guests. The Academy of Ancient Music does a superb job with this collection of music that required use of instruments rarely used today.
Sinfonia in G major dazzles us with joyful pomp. The third movement echoes ... Read More
- Diversity is your best betThe final work on this superb CD is one of Vivaldi's true masterworks.Like his incredibly famous Four Seasons, this work has true inspiration and a sound that is second to none.This Concerto in C is written for an astonishing array of diverse instruments.My favorite is the one that sounds just like a clarinet, although the clarinet, as we know it today, was not invented until decades later. This is a work that musicians just seem to absolutely adore.This is my third recording of this piece and in ... Read More
- Just sublimeI bought this fantastic CD over a year ago and it became my most cherished 'Classics' possession.Then thieves broke in to my home and stole it along with many others.I've finally had it replaced by the insurance company, and am now revisting the beautiful sounds of this program.Superb playing, great collection of works, and the usual sublime recording quality from a HM production.This has to be one of the essential Vivaldi recordings, especially valued given the lower price.
