Vivaldi: Violin Concerto, Op. 8 No. 5 in E flat major, RV253 'La tempesta di mare'

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.

" I have never heard a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons quite like this one … Harnoncourt has given us something of undeniable originality and craftsmanship" Gramophone

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, (1678-1741) nicknamed il Prete Rosso (The Red Priest), was a Venetian priest and Baroque music composer, as well as a famous violin virtuoso; he was born and raised in the Republic of Venice, where he spent most of his life. In 1711 he composed twelve violin concertos which were published in Amsterdam by the music publisher Estienne Roger under the title "l'Estro armonico" (Harmonic Inspiration). The Four Seasons consisting of four violin concertos and the violin concerto La Tempesta Di Mare (Stormy sea), which are performed on this release are part of this collection. The Four Seasons is undoubtably Vivaldi's best-known work and one of the most popular works from the the Baroque period in the repertoire. The Sonnets depicting the seasons were written by Vivaldi prior to the music and are uniquely presented here in conjunction with the music and as an intrinsic part of the entire performance, bringing even more life to this wonderfully expressive and descriptive music. This CD has the honour to have Sir Michael Gambon, one of the greatest and most distinguished British actors of his generation, to narrate the sonnets, together with a vibrant and bracing musical performance from violinist Robert Atchison and The Altamira Chamber Orchestra.

Praised by Gramophone magazine as “an invigorating account of the Seasons” when first released on 24-bit 88.2 kHz Stereo and Surround Recordings Naxos CD 8557920, Vivaldi’s universally popular Four Seasons, with their virtuoso part for solo violinist, depict the changing seasons in a pastoral landscape with dazzling variety. Violinist Cho-Liang Lin, who has been compared with Gidon Kremer, Nigel Kennedy and Kyung-Wha Chung, and the virtuoso ensemble Sejong give ‘a durable and unmannered, yet bracing and continuously interesting version’ (Fanfare) of these immortal classics.