Only one of Vivaldi's six Concerti per flauto Op. X (No. 4) was newly composed for its 1729 publication; the other five were arrangements of earlier works.
Compositional Technique
Vivaldi's Concerti da camera often feature a varied and balanced interplay between instruments like recorder, oboe, bassoon, and violin, rather than a single soloist against strings.
Interpretation
The performers on this album chose to play Vivaldi's flute concertos on the recorder, adopting the approach of an amateur recorder player from the 1730s.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Vivaldi's genius is evident in the infinite variety of instrumental and timbral combinations he created from his basic material, often for the 'putte' (young girls) of the Ospedale della Pietà.
Instruments
The recording uses period instruments by makers like Denner, Bressan, and Stanesby, and modern makers Lemaire and Von Huene, including an alto recorder in F and a flautino or sixth flute in D.
Recording & Production
For some Concerti da camera, the performers chose not to use a harmonic instrument for the continuo, guided by Vivaldi's own alternative instrumentations and manuscript indications.
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Vivaldi: Concerti da Camera & Concerti Op. X
Vivaldi: L'opera per traversiere, Parte seconda - RV 431, 783, 432, 68, 48, 51, 678
