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Vivaldi Violin Concertos
The Four Seasons violin concertos and Tartini’s Sonata in G minor, Devil’s Trill
Joshua Bell, violin; John Constable, harpsichord; Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Sony 88697-35705-2
*****
What can be said of the world’s favourite baroque violin concertos played by one of the world’s most renowned chamber orchestras with a vibrant, young, but experienced, soloist?
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| Although I appreciated classical music from an early age, in my twenties, my cousin introduced me to Vivaldi’s violin concertos of The Four Seasons. She had never before expressed an interest in the classical repertoire but was absolutely entranced by this music. I think that epitomises the reaction of many young people who first hear these masterpieces. I believe that feeling never leaves you all through your life particularly when you hear a superb performance such as that delivered by Joshua Bell and the Academy in this recording.
The disc includes the Devil’s Trill sonata of Giuseppe Tartini composed in 1713, the same year in which Bell’s Stradivarius violin was created. Bell says that it is ‘devilishly difficult’ and in fact Tartini dreamed that he handed his violin to the Devil and this sonata was the result. John Constable is a worthy partner in the sonata as well as the continuo harpsichordist in the concertos. Bell first learned the Kreisler arrangement of the sonata in his teens but says that this version is closer to the original (although no one can be sure as the original manuscript has been lost.) Consequently every performer, says Bell, has the freedom to add their own ornamentation and express their own personality.
The most interesting notes come with this disc and the recording is enthusiastically recommended. – Elaine Siversen
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