Viva Vivaldi!
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
Viva Vivaldi! Born this day in 1678, the Venetian composer now so familiar to us was rescued from virtual oblivion only in the 20th century. Reviled by some, loved by many . . .
Vivaldi is now one of the most frequently recorded and programmed composers around. Giovanni Antonini plays the recorder and leads Il Giardino Armonico in “Il gardelino” (The goldfinch), his Concerto in D, RV 428. This, as were many of his compositions, was written to show off the talents of his charges in the Pio Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for girls where he was responsible not only for their musical education but also for providing an endless supply of new compositions for their very popular concerts. You may know him best for the “Four Seasons,” but odds are you won’t have heard ‘Spring’ in this evening’s incarnation—an arrangment for hurdy-gurdy, bar musette, and harpsichord, instruments which substitute for the usual violin in the Palladian Ensemble’s presentation.
William Byrd’s “Mass for Four Voices” is performed during our second hour by the Theatre of Voices and a number of excellent soloists, Paul Hillier conducting. Byrd’s Benedictus and Creed from the “Great” Service (along with a number of other works) can be heard performed by the Vox Vocal Ensemble the Columbia University’s Miller Theater on Saturday, March 12th. And we hear some Vivaldi performed by Flutist Paula Robeson during the evening as well. She’s devoting an entire evening to the music of the Red Priest’s when she appears along with the Chamber Orchestra at the Metropolitan Museum’s Temple of Dendur on Friday, March 11th. A spectacular site for some spectacular listening!
Vivaldi is now one of the most frequently recorded and programmed composers around. Giovanni Antonini plays the recorder and leads Il Giardino Armonico in “Il gardelino” (The goldfinch), his Concerto in D, RV 428. This, as were many of his compositions, was written to show off the talents of his charges in the Pio Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for girls where he was responsible not only for their musical education but also for providing an endless supply of new compositions for their very popular concerts. You may know him best for the “Four Seasons,” but odds are you won’t have heard ‘Spring’ in this evening’s incarnation—an arrangment for hurdy-gurdy, bar musette, and harpsichord, instruments which substitute for the usual violin in the Palladian Ensemble’s presentation.
William Byrd’s “Mass for Four Voices” is performed during our second hour by the Theatre of Voices and a number of excellent soloists, Paul Hillier conducting. Byrd’s Benedictus and Creed from the “Great” Service (along with a number of other works) can be heard performed by the Vox Vocal Ensemble the Columbia University’s Miller Theater on Saturday, March 12th. And we hear some Vivaldi performed by Flutist Paula Robeson during the evening as well. She’s devoting an entire evening to the music of the Red Priest’s when she appears along with the Chamber Orchestra at the Metropolitan Museum’s Temple of Dendur on Friday, March 11th. A spectacular site for some spectacular listening!
