Vivaldi: Concerti per mandolini

1	Double Mandolin Concerto,
2	Double Mandolin Concerto,
3	Double Mandolin Concerto,
4	Concerto in tromba marina
5	Concerto in tromba marina
6	Concerto in tromba marina
7	Concerto for violin, oboe
8	Concerto for violin, oboe
9	Concerto for violin, oboe
10	Concerto for 2 violins, 2
11	Concerto for 2 violins, 2
12	Concerto for 2 violins, 2
13	Violin Concerto, for viol
14	Violin Concerto, for viol
15	Violin Concerto, for viol
16	Mandolin Concerto, for ma
17	Mandolin Concerto, for ma
18	Mandolin Concerto, for ma
19	Concerto for 3 violins, o
20	Concerto for 3 violins, o
21	Concerto for 3 violins, o
Vivaldi: Concerti per mandolini
1.	Double Mandolin Concerto, for 2 mandolins, strings & continuo in G major, RV 532 10:03
	Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
	Performed by Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante
2.	Concerto in tromba marina, for 2 violins, 2 recorders, 2 mandolins, 2 chalumeaux, 2 theorbos, cello, strings & continuo in C, RV 558 9:15
	Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
	Performed by Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante
3.	Concerto for violin, oboe, 2 recorders, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings & continuo in G minor, RV 576 10:22
	Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
	Performed by Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante
4.	Concerto for 2 violins, 2 cellos, strings & continuo in D Major, RV 564 10:10
	Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
	Performed by Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante
5.	Violin Concerto, for violin, strings & continuo in G minor, RV 319 10:45
	Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
	Performed by Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante
6.	Mandolin Concerto, for mandolin, strings & continuo in C major, RV 425 8:13
	Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
	Performed by Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante
7.	Concerto for 3 violins, oboe, viola all'inglese, chalmeleau, 2 cellos, harpsichord, strings & continuo in C, RV 555 8:30
	Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
	Performed by Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante

Barnes & Noble

Vivaldi's Concerto in G, RV 532, is rightly one of the composer's most popular works, not least for the evocative and delicate pluck of the solo mandolins. Here, violinist-conductor Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante create dramatic contrasts in volume and texture between the orchestral and solo parts of this work -- an effect that is mirrored by the programming of the CD as a whole, in which mandolin concertos are heard alongside some of Vivaldi's largest-scale works. The Concerto in C, RV 558, for instance, calls for no less than 11 solo instruments, an unusual combination of recorders, chalumeaux (early clarinets), violins in tromba marina (a rare version of the instrument with a vibrating bridge that causes a rattling sound), theorbos, mandolins, and a cello. In fact, every one of the seven concertos on this disc has a unique and vivid sonic character. Biondi and his cohorts do not rush through the music, as some other Italian period instrument groups do, but allow time for the melodies to breathe and for the instrumental colors to be fully appreciated. The result offers proof that Vivaldi was one of the most inventive composers of the Baroque, and it presents an ideal opportunity for listeners wishing to venture beyond The Four Seasons. Andrew Farach-Colton

All Music Guide

For fans of the classical mandolin, here is a disc of the best works for the instrument by Antonio Vivaldi, the best friend the mandolin ever had. And for the rest of the world, here is a disc of colorful Baroque concertos by Antonio Vivaldi, the best friend the Baroque concerto ever had. After all, Vivaldi may have been the mandolin's best friend, but even he could only compose so many mandolin concertos. But while the limited tone, range, and color of the instrument may only be so interesting even to its best friend, Vivaldi did everything that could be done with the instrument, and his handful of concertos are easily the best ever composed for the mandolin. This disc of Vivaldi mandolin concertos by Europa Galante under the direction of Fabio Biondi is also easily the best ever recorded. Because while there have been other great recordings of Vivaldi's mandolin concertos by other outstanding mandolin players, no other ensemble has so completely and thoroughly mastered and integrated the mandolin into its overall sonority. Thus, while the mandolinists of Europa Galante play just as beautifully as Paul O'Dette in his masterful performances on Hyperion, Europa Galante is more sensitive to the delicate colors of the instrument than O'Dette's Parley of Instruments. This results in performances that are more than the sum of their parts. For many listeners, it is the rest of the concertos on this disc that will prove just as attractive as the mandolin works. Such relative rarities as the "Concerto" for two violini in tromba marina, two recorders, two mandolins, two chalumeaux, two theorbos, and cello receive gloriously colorful performances by Biondi and Europa Galante. This is a superb disc with or without the mandolin concertos. James Leonard

New York Times

Europa Galante is a group seemingly unable to play Baroque music dully. Indeed, even the familiar Vivaldi concertos on this disc sound fresh in its hands.... The record concludes with a formidable concerto for strings and winds (RV 555) that allows Europa Galante to display its talents fully. The special spell these musicians cast may make you want to listen all over again from the top. David Mermelstein

Gramophone

This is exhilaratingly dangerous music making, and it pays off. Lindsay Kemp