Vivaldi: Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione, Op. 8 (The Contest between Harmony and Invention)
Europa Galante
Fabio Biondi, conductor/violin
Virgin Classics
This set of 12 concerti, published in 1725, remains his most enduring work. This is due to the overwhelming popularity of the first four concerti, each of which describes in music a season of the year, based on sonnets which some say Vivaldi himself wrote. Thus you'll hear Vivaldi's interpretation of birds, storms, bagpipes and other things as you listen to the music. (My personal favorite is Winter - L'Inverno.) Though the
Four Seasons are often played on their own, the other 8 pieces in the collection are of similar quality and deserve hearing.
Fabio Biondi and the Europa Galante play all 12 concerti with gusto - the type of music making you just have to keep listening to. Even if you're familiar with these works and have recordings of them, this set is worth seeking out. I have to admit I'd always written off Vivaldi until I heard these CDs - Biondi and his band really turned me around. Here was a Vivaldi that was vital, and virtuosic. If you're looking for more of the same, their other CDs are of similar quality. And if you don't believe me, check out the
audio samples. I'd also add that you get 2 CDs for the price of one making this a bargain selection as well.
Basic Library Selection (Repertoire and Performance)