The notes for this CD claim that these are first recordings, and if this is so, they are welcome to the vast quantity of Vivaldi music, at least for the opportunity to listen to the rather excellent Guidantus Ensemble.
This group is an Italian ensemble and as is to be expected, they have the Red Priest's music to heart, playing the works with a commendable sense of élan and esprit. I greatly enjoyed the RV206 and RV377 for melody and charm with the Guidantus players taking an easygoing tempo that is perfectly in keeping with these sedentary works.
Arion's recording is excellent with a judicious balance achieved between string instruments and a continuo that is also in the thick of things. Obviously, if you are a Vivaldi fan, then you will want this CD in your collection although newcomers to the field would do better at starting off with more famous works such as "The Four Seasons". But this is a commendable project nonetheless.
Copyright © 2008, Gerald Fenech