Vivaldi: Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'invenzione Fabio Biondi

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CD

  • Release Date: 07/31/2001
  • 2 Disc Set
  • Sales Rank: 25,329
  • Label: EMI CLASSICS
  • UPC: 724354546525

Listener Rating: (2 ratings)

Detailed Rating: "Inspiring" See All

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  • Editorial Reviews
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About this Artist

Editorial Reviews

Fabio Biondi first recorded Vivaldi's Four Seasons in the early '90s, adventurously playing from a little-known manuscript version of the score rather than the familiar published edition. The many subtle variations in the music, combined with Biondi's lively musical imagination, made for a Four Seasons with a difference. Here that difference is magnified even more, with Biondi and his ensemble, Europa Galante, delivering a new performance of the concertos with vividly drawn, bold strokes. Listen to the bite of the repeated "thunder and lighting" notes in the middle movement of the Spring Concerto, or the frenzied, almost manic tempo of the Summer Concerto's finale; hear the thwack of the continuo after emerging from near silence in the Autumn Concerto's "hunt" movement, or the eerie, nearly demonic start to the Winter Concerto. Biondi's return to the Four Seasons doesn't stop there, however; this double-disc set also contains the eight other concertos published along with the famous four in 1725 as Vivaldi's Op. 8. The collection was labeled "Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione" (The Contest Between Harmony and Invention), and as the title hints, pointed contrast is the operating principle here. One need only listen to the turbulent concerto that immediately follows The Four Seasons, entitled "La tempesta di mare" (The Sea Storm), to hear these shifting tides. And Biondi and company play it for all it's worth in this enthusiastically recommended recording. EJ Johnson, Barnes & Noble



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Customer Reviews

  • Listener Rating:
  • Ratings: 2Reviews: 2

The Contest Between Harmony and Invention: The Listener Wins!by ClasseekGeek

Reader Rating:
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August 02, 2009: Viva Vivaldi! Wow, what a concept. Fabio Biondi has recorded the Four Seasons in such an enthusiastic, imaginative way that this listener is left awestruck. If this is how classical music is to be played, I would be willing to spend big bucks for it.

But on to the performance...the title of this recording says it all. Note that it is Latin for harmony and invention in battle. Interestingly, solo violins seem to be contending for the audience's attention, as allegros are played with tremendous vigor and fire. This makes for great theatrical entertainment, so that the listener is not only listening to the music but seeing each movement played out in the mind's eye.

Amazing coloration in Spring, spirited energy in Summer, lush tonal harmonies in Autumn (notice the adagio on Track 8 of disc one-it is a superlative effort), and witty inventions in Winter(cold-warm-then bone numbing cold again). How much better is that? Enthusiastically recommended as a first choice for the Four Seasons.

But wait, there's more. Biondi has generously included the Four Seasons as part of the entire Opus 8. Do listen to the entire recording; it will be time well invested.

Other recommendations include Amandine Beyer and Enrico Casazza, but neither have the imaginative scope that Biondi has.

Energetic, exuberant masterwork.by Anonymous

Reader Rating:
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July 16, 2003: The sound produced from this ensemble is magnificant and the period instruments add to the drama. This is a truly timeless and most enjoyable addition to any collection.