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	Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Flute Concertos arranged for the recorder Concerto in C minor RV 441 Concerto in C major RV 444 Concerto in F major RV 433 La Tempesta di Mare Concerto in C major RV 443 Concerto in F major RV 434 Concerto in G minor RV 439 La Notte Dan Laurin (recorder) Drottningholm Baroque Ensemble Recording 1991, Brilliant Classics CLASSIC COLLECTION 99916 [54.32]
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There are precedents for playing these popular concertos on the recorder, which often shared the common name ‘flute’ with the traverso (or what we might now call a baroque flute) for which they were written. Indeed, this soloist and the Drottningholm players probably come closer to a ‘historically informed’ performance than the large string sections and Boehm flutes, usually heard until recently in these concertos. Nevertheless, the ‘cool’, penetrating sound and higher fundamental pitch of the recorder, even when so well-played, as it is on this record, is less responsive to subtle inflections than a traverso, especially in slow movements. Dan Laurin easily establishes his virtuoso credentials in the first (C minor) concerto, but as the performance progresses its shortcomings appear: relentlessly fast tempi that occasionally find the ensemble at odds with the soloist and obscures some of the finer detail in these delightful works. The dominance of the solo line, even in ripieno passages, sacrifices some of Vivaldi’s masterly touches (in for example La Notte) for superficial brilliance. It is, however, difficult not to admire the commitment and sheer ebullience of the players. Their sense of ease and enjoyment in the intricacies of Italian Baroque ornamentation alone makes this disc a desirable extra for anyone who already possesses a more authentic version. Full marks for chutzpah, and the example that Dan Laurin provides of the expressive potential of the recorder. Roy Brewer Gerard Hoffnung CDs Advertising on Musicweb Help us with a donation? New Releases Musicweb sells the following labels Acte Préalable Arcodiva Avie British Music Soc. CDAccord Hallé Hortus Lyrita Nimbus Northern Flowers Redcliffe Sheva Tactus Talent Toccata Classics Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter

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