Antonio Vivaldi – 6 Cello Concertos (2002)

Concerto in B minor, RV 424
1) Allegro non molto (4:01)
2) Largo (2:50)
3) Allegro (3:30)

Concerto in G minor, RV 416
4) Allegro (3:32)
5) Adagio (3:20)
6) Allegro (2:40)

Concerto in A minor, RV 418
7) Allegro (4:13)
8) Largo (3:10)
9) Allegro (3:o8)

Concerto in F major, RV 412
10) Allegro (0:51)
11) Larghetto (4:13)
12) Allegro (2:15)

Concerto in C minor, RV 401
13) Allegro non molto (4:28)
14) Adagio (3:08)
15) Allegro ma non molto (2:43)

Concerto in G major, RV 413
16) Allegro (3:11)
17) Largo (3:11)
18) Allegro (2:54)

Christophe Coin - cello
Academy of Ancient Music 
Christopher Hogwood - conductor

Discs devoted entirely to the Red Priest's cello concertos used to be very rare indeed, but the recording industry seems to be slowly correcting that oversight. This, however, is the first such disc employing original instruments. To my knowledge, RV. 416 was recorded only once before (by the Collegium Aureum for Harmonia Mundi some twenty-five years ago). RV. 412 receives its recorded debut in toto here, although the middle movement inexplicably appeared once before as a substitute for the one in RV. 411 on an SD by Iona Brown and the ASMF (Fanfare 8:2). The rest of the works on this program have received a reasonable amount of attention over the years.

Coin's instrument (Testore, c. 1750) has a soft, plaintive sound with none of the “juiciness“ of its modern counterpart. For RV. 413 and 418, he uses a “cello piccolo“ (De Lannoy, 1768), a term new to me. Hang me for a wooden-eared dullard, but I don't hear much difference between the two instruments other than a very slightly warmer tone in the former. I daresay this is one of Hogwood's best efforts on behalf of II prete rosso. His tempos are lively, but not driven, and there is none of the brusqueness that marred some of his earlier performances. In sum, a delightful disc that can be highly recommended to both the Vivaldian and the casual listener. The sound is excellent.

Those preferring their Vivaldi on modern instruments are directed to the performances by Ofra Harnoy with Robinson and the Toronto Chamber Orchestra on RCA Red Seal (Fanfare 12:1). The programs aren't the same (they only have RV. 401 in common), but then if that matters, you'll want both discs. --- Nils Anderson, Fanfare

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