Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
12 Violin Sonatas with basso continuo, Op.2 [89:59]
Violin Concertos, Op.8, Nos 1-4 Four Seasons [41:44]
Dénes Kovács (violin)
János Sebestyén (harpsichord); Mária Frank (cello)
Hungarian Radio Chamber Orchestra/Lamberto Gardelli
rec. Budapest 1967-68
Kovács Edition Volume 4
DOREMI DHR-8145-6 [75:12 + 65:27]
We’ve now arrived at Volume 4 of Doremi’s Dénes Kovács Edition. I’ve reviewed Volumes 2 & 3 (review ~ review). This latest offering features music by Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi. In addition to his exquisite twelve sonatas for violin and basso continuo, Op. 2, we have his most popular work Four Seasons, four concertos each of which gives a musical expression to a season of the year.
Vivaldi composed his set of twelve sonatas for violin and basso continuo, Op. 2, in 1709. They received their first publication by Antonio Bortoli in Venice in 1709. Three years later they were reprinted by Estienne Roger in Amsterdam. In date of composition, they sit between the Violin Sonatas by Arcangelo Corelli and those by Johann Sebastian Bach. In fact they reflect the influence of Corelli. They’re a delightful collection suffused with lyricism, passion, emotion and virtuosity. The Sonatas are cast in either three or four movements. The preludes are formal and stately, with the dances animated and rustic in character. They range from just over 6 minutes to more than 11 minutes. The eminent Vivaldi scholar Michael Talbot thought highly of them when he stated "Op 2 is fully Vivaldian and certainly deserves to take its place among his other masterworks." Kovács, whose intonation is for the most part pristine, is discreetly supported by János Sebestyén (harpsichord)and Mária Frank (cello). All three deliver convincing and compelling readings.
Although there’s a glut of period instrument performances of Vivaldi’s ubiquitous Four Seasons available, including a very fine one from Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque on Channel Classics, a few, like myself, hearken back to the good old days, enjoying the modern instrument performance. My particular favorites are Henryk Szeryng directing the English Chamber Orchestra on Philips, and the Decca ASMF’s traversal with violinist Alan Loveday under the direction of Sir Neville Marriner, declared “a reference recording” by The New York Times. This 1967 recording, originally issued on a Qualiton LP (SLPX 1102), featuring Kovács, supported by the Hungarian Radio Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Lamberto Gardelli, I have to admit doesn’t float my boat as much. It’s all rather four square and pedestrian, skimping on fantasy and thrill. Having said that, it does respond to the music’s shifting moods, evoking the highs and lows of each season. As for the orchestral sound, I found it rather homogenous, though the soloist is well-profiled in the balance. .
Doremi are to be lauded for these volumes. which pay handsome tribute to a great artist.
Stephen Greenbank
Previous review: Jonathan Woolf
