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This is the highly-anticipated second recording in the Avison Ensemble’s Baroque series, which includes the complete recording of Antonio Vivaldi’s virtuosic violin concertos by the outstanding period instrument orchestra.
Directed by Pavlo Beznosiuk, Britain’s foremost Baroque violin virtuosi, the ensemble presents an insightful performance of the masterpiece that is brimming with energy.
Vivaldi’s Concerti Opus 8 includes The Four Seasons which is, without a doubt, Vivaldi’s best-known work.
Each of the twelve concertos is extremely demanding and Beznosiuk’s virtuosity permeates throughout each performance.
The thematic elements within each innovative work results in a collection that is colourful, fresh and emotionally charged. Opus 8 is a true testament of Vivaldi’s ability for invention and variation.
Formed in 1985, the Ensemble has attracted great critical acclaim. The Guardian commented: “I’d take the Avison Ensemble over Karajan…any day”.
The Avison Ensemble comprises some of Europe's leading Baroque musicians, including artists from The Hague, Germany, France, Austria and London, with international soloists from all over the globe.
Pavlo Beznosiuk, the UK's foremost baroque violin virtuoso, is in demand as a soloist and orchestral leader performing regularly with the Academy of Ancient Music and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV. 269, 'La Primavera' (Spring)
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in G minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV. 315, 'L'Estate' (Summer)
I. Allegro non molto
II. Adagio
III. Presto
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in F major, Op. 8 No. 3, RV. 293, 'L'Autunno' (Autumn)
I. Allegro
II. Adagio molto
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in F minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV. 297, 'L'Inverno' (Winter)
I. Allegro non molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E flat major, Op. 8 No. 5, RV. 253, 'La Tempesta Di Mare'
I. Presto
II. Largo
III. Presto
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in C major, Op. 8 No. 6, RV. 180, 'Il Piacere'
I. Allegro
II. Largo e Cantabile
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8 No. 7, RV. 242
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in G minor, Op. 8 No. 8, RV. 332
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8 No. 9, RV. 236
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in B flat major, Op. 8 No. 10, RV. 362, 'La Caccia'
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 8 No. 11, RV. 210
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in C major, Op. 8 No. 12, RV. 178
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
The Independent on Sunday
6th November 2011
“Beznosiuk is soloist-director, all flinty trills and silky legato in The Four Seasons and pithy grace in the D and G minor Concertos. Alternating archlute and guitar and harpsichord and organ respectively, Paula Chateauneuf and Roger Hamilton pinpoint the constant play of light central to Vivaldi's music. Delicious.”
Classical Music
19th November 2011
****
“Beznosiuk and his crack ensemble have produced a modern set second to none. Playing is stylish, colourful and warm”
January 2012
“this is a Seasons which mostly keeps dramatic overstatement in check...this excellent UK-based ensemble show[s] why it is rapidly gaining respect as one of the finest period-instrument bands of our time, mercifully bereft of novelty factor or proselytizing zeal and offering up performances which are as entertaining, compelling and colourful as they are authoritative and polished...A very impressive addition to the discography of this fine group.”
March 2012
“I've always admired the suavity and subtle imaginative colouring of the Avison Ensemble's performances...Here Vivaldi's grosser programmatic intentions are made the subject of speculation rather than plain realisation...Beznosiuk's playing is a marvel both here and throughout the remaining concertos...and at one with an ensemble which likewise responds to this music with a genuine freshness and intelligence.”
October 2012
***
“this rendition is played on period instruments, which have often come to mean strong attack, primary colours and sharply articulated phrasing. Not here. The Avison Ensemble takes a gentler approach...Beznosiuk has plainly chosen an approach that suits his naturally mellifluous style. There's little of the rubato that has become such a feature of Baroque playing, and the continuo is often unobtrusive”
Click here for alternative recordings of this work.
I. Allegro
