Vivaldi was highly skilled at depicting natural phenomena in his music, such as the wind, cataclysms, and sea storms, as heard in works like The Four Seasons and La Tempesta di Mare.
Historical Context
Vivaldi's time at the Mantuan court was a special period where he explored instrumental music, especially for winds, which was unusual in Italy at the time, where string music predominated.
Instruments
Vivaldi virtuosically developed the concertante use of the bassoon in these works, at a time when it was primarily an accompaniment instrument.
Compositional Technique
Vivaldi is believed to have invented the chamber concerto, a genre featuring multiple soloists without an orchestra, blending elements of sonata and concerto.
Interpretation
Jérôme Correas, the conductor, believes that Baroque music, like Vivaldi's, is defined by its direct and constantly surprising nature, engaging the listener without respite.
Performer Biography
Jérôme Correas, the conductor, has a dual background as a harpsichordist and singer, and founded Les Paladins, a Baroque orchestra, in 2001 to explore dramatic musical repertoire.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live across four different concerts, allowing the performers to 'let go' and capture spontaneous energy, which is believed to suit Vivaldi's music better than a studio recording.
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