Musica Amphion, Pieter-Jan Belde - Corelli: Concerti Grossi Op.6 (2006)

Arcangelo Corelli’s final work, his Op. 6 set of 12 concerti grossi, is undeniably one of the greatest Baroque masterpieces. There have been many fine recordings of these concertos, and this recent traversal by the Dutch ensemble Musica Amphion, directed by harpsichordist Pieter-Jan Belder, is yet another. Like Fabio Biondi with Europa Galante (Naïve), the Chiara Banchini/Jesper Christensen collaboration with Ensemble 415 (Harmonia Mundi), and Esteban Velardi with the Alessandro Stradella Consort (Dynamic), Belder enlivens the work with his conscientiously varied range of tempos. The ensemble’s articulation of the final Allegro of the Second concerto, the second Allegro of the famous Eighth (Christmas Concerto), the Allemanda allegro of the Ninth, and the Allegro of the 12th are wonderfully vigorous and spirited.
Corelli’s ravishing slower movements are equally well-considered and beautifully shaped, though there are moments such as in the opening Largo-allegro of the First concerto, Vivace-allegro of the Second, and the fourth-movement Adagio-Allegro-Adagio of the Eighth where certain gestures are so elongated that the musical line barely maintains its continuity. However, these mannerisms are few, and thankfully lessen as the cycle progresses, detracting very little overall from Musica Amphion’s excellent achievement. Brilliant Classics’ sound is simply gorgeous, with superb clarity and presence. At budget price as well, you can hardly go wrong.

by John Greene

Tracklist:

12 Concerti Grossi Opus VI - Concerti Grossi, Con Duoi Violini E Violoncello Di Concertino Obligati E Duoi Altri Violini, Viola E Basso Di Concerto Grosso Ad Arbotrio Che Si Potranno Radopiarre

Disk 1
Concerto 1 In D Major
1. Largo-allegro 2:25
2. Largo-allegro 2:48
3. Largo 3:16
4. Allegro 1:52
5. Allegro 2:13

Concerto 2 In F Major
6. Vivace-allegro 3:26
7. Largo-andante 0:55
8. Allegro 1:50
9. Grave-andante largo 1:59
10. Allegro 2:33

Concerto 3 In C Minor
11. Largo 2:15
12. Allegro 2:01
13. Grave 1:38
14. Vivace 2:31
15. Allegro 2:31

Concerto 4 In D Major
16. Adagio-allegro 3:39
17. Adagio 2:00
18. Vivace 1:02
19. Allegro 3:29

Concerto 5 In B-Flat Major
20. Adagio-allegro 3:20
21. Adagio 1:42
22. Allegro 2:10
23. Largo 1:00
24. Allegro 2:21

Concerto 6 In F Major
25. Adagio 1:36
26. Allegro 1:57
27. Largo 3:13
28. Vivace 2:24
29. Allegro 1:59

Disk 2
Concerto 7 In D Major
1. Vivace-allegro 2:19
2. Allegro 2:01
3. Andante Largo 2:25
4. Allegro 1:05
5. Vivace 1:05

Concerto 8 In G Minor, Fatto Per La Notte Di Natale (Chrismas Concerto)
6. Vivace 0:13
7. Grave, Arcate, sostenuto e come stà 1:15
8. Allegro 2:21
9. Adagio-Allegro-Adagio 3:12
10. Vivace 1:10
11. Allegro 2:11
12. Pastorale, largo 3:46

Parte Seconda Per Camera - Preludii, Allemande, Correnti, Gighe, Sarabande, Gavotte e Minuetti

Concerto 9 In F Major
13. Preludio, largo 1:27
14. Allemanda, allegro 2:41
15. Corrente, vivace 1:31
16. Gavotta, allegro 0:53
17. Adagio 0:52
18. Minuetto, vivace 1:38

Concerto 10 In C Major
19. Preludio, andante largo 2:06
20. Allemanda, allegro 2:19
21. Adagio 1:00
22. Corrente, vivace 2:45
23. Allegro 2:36
24. Minuetto, vivace 1:37

Concerto 11 In B-Flat Major
25. Preludio, andante largo 2:16
26. Allemanda, allegro 2:21
27. Adagio-andante largo 2:14
28. Sarabanda, largo 1:17
29. Giga, vivace 1:16

Concerto 12 In F Major
30. Preludio, adagio 2:24
31. Allegro 2:26
32. Adagio 1:33
33. Sarabanda, vivace 0:55
34. Giga, allegro 3:02

Musica Amphion
Pieter-Jan Belder (harpsichord, conductor)

Label: Brilliant Classics 92610 (2 discs)
Release Date: April 2006
Recording location: Doopsgezinde Gemeente of Deventer, Netherlands, 2004
Original Recording Format: PCM
Recording Type & Bit Rate: DSD64