Guy Fishman - Vivaldi: Cello Concertos (2017)

Guy Fishman, principal cellist of the Handel & Haydn Society Orchestra, presents a brilliant and energized period-instrument performance of seven miraculous and seminal concertos by the Red Priest, Antonio Vivaldi. Fishman is accompanied by members of the H&H Orchestra. Character is the word that comes to mind when I think of Antonio Vivaldi, that great son of Venice. The city is, of course, nestled in Italy, but Venetians aren’t really Italians. They’re Venetians. They speak their own language, eat foods unique to their former city-state, celebrate their own festivals. Their city’s great character is a reflection of their own. Vivaldi was one of them, and though he sought fame and fortune in travels far from Italy, he returned home to Venice, again and again. The city, which had at various points been a formidable economic, military, and political powerhouse, had by Vivaldi’s birth declined in those respects. But it had retained its cultural majesty and was a major tourist destination, much as it is today. Visitors bathed in its unique light and marveled at its graceful architecture, at the splendor of its theaters, and at the majestic music they heard. They must also have enjoyed the Venetians themselves, who I imagine to have equaled their city in richness of character.

TRACKLIST

01. Cello Concerto in D Major, RV 403: I. Allegro
02. Cello Concerto in D Major, RV 403: II. Andante e spiritoso
03. Cello Concerto in D Major, RV 403: III. Allegro
04. Cello Concerto in A Minor, RV 418: I. Allegro
05. Cello Concerto in A Minor, RV 418: II. Largo
06. Cello Concerto in A Minor, RV 418: III. Allegro
07. Cello Concerto in C Minor, RV 401: I. Allegro non molto
08. Cello Concerto in C Minor, RV 401: II. Adagio
09. Cello Concerto in C Minor, RV 401: III. Allegro ma non molto
10. Cello Concerto in F Major, RV 410: I. Allegro
11. Cello Concerto in F Major, RV 410: II. Largo
12. Cello Concerto in F Major, RV 410: III. Allegro
13. Cello Concerto in D Minor, RV 405: I. Allegro
14. Cello Concerto in D Minor, RV 405: II. Adagio
15. Cello Concerto in D Minor, RV 405: III. Allegro
16. Cello Concerto in B Minor, RV 424: I. Allegro non molto
17. Cello Concerto in B Minor, RV 424: II. Largo
18. Cello Concerto in B Minor, RV 424: III. Allegro
19. Cello Concerto in G Major, RV 413: I. Allegro
20. Cello Concerto in G Major, RV 413: II. Largo
21. Cello Concerto in G Major, RV 413: III. Allegro