Vivaldi: Oboe & Bassoon Concertos

Featuring

Johannes Schlaefli
Matthias Rácz
Simon Fuchs
Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester
Antonio Vivaldi

Did you know?

1/7

Historical Context

At the beginning of the 18th century, Venice's political and economic power was in decline, but it remained a hub for a flourishing culture, especially music.

Performer Biography

Matthias Rácz, the bassoonist on this recording, won first prize at the International Music Competition 'Prager Frühling' and the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 2002.

Compositional Technique

Vivaldi's oboe concertos feature a virtuosic writing style, characterized by rapid runs and staccato passages, influenced by his violinistic style rather than operatic vocal writing.

Composition History

Vivaldi's extensive concerto output was greatly facilitated by his role as maestro de' concerti at the Ospedale della Pietà, where he could study and experiment with various instruments played by talented female musicians.

Composition History

Vivaldi wrote a large number of bassoon concertos, around 40, likely because there was no existing repertoire for the instrument for the figlie (female musicians) at the Ospedale della Pietà.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Vivaldi's solo concertos are considered a major achievement due to their formal structure and his skillful treatment of instruments, establishing the genre in its definitive form.

Performer Biography

Simon Fuchs, the oboist on this recording, was born into a musical family in Zurich and has won several international awards, including a 2nd prize at the 'Prager Frühling' competition in 1986.