Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Samuel Barber, Antonín Dvořák, Charles François Gounod, Franz Xaver Gruber, George Frideric Handel, Martin Hybler, Adam Václav Michna z Otradovic, Astor Piazzólla, Myroslav Skoryk, Antonio Vivaldi, John Francis Wade
Performer: Vilém Veverka, Patricia Janečková, Ultimate W Band
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Supraphon
Catalogue: SU43162
Release: 2022
Size: 2.15 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Concerto No. 4. I. Allegro non molto
02. Gounod: Ave Maria
03. Piazzólla: Invierno Porteño
04. Barber: Adagio for Strings, Op. 11
05. Wade: O come, all ye faithful
06. trad.: Carol of the Bells
07. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, RV#: Concerto No. 4. II. Largo
08. Gruber: Silent Night
09. Rutter: Angels´ Carol
10. Piazzólla: Ave Maria II
11. Michna z Otradovic: Chtíc, aby spal
12. Bach: Pastorale F Major: Aria
13. Handel: Ombra mai fu (from Serse)
14. Skoryk: Melodia
15. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, RV#: Concerto No. 4. III. Allegro
16. Hybler: Tenkrát na Štědrý den
17. Dvořák: Ave Maria III
Christmas and its singular atmosphere have inspired numerous musicians and composers over the centuries. Following several “conventional” albums and the crossover project “Next Horizon”, the oboist Vilém Veverka too has succumbed to the irresistible Yuletide charm and decided to present “his Christmas”.
The album’s leitmotif is Antonio Vivaldi’s L’inverno (most likely performed on the oboe for the very first time!). In addition to pieces by other Baroque Masters (Bach, Handel), it includes a musical account of Argentinean tango-flavoured winter (Ástor Piazzolla), as well as the songs Stille Nacht, Adeste fideles and Chtíc, aby spal, without which one would be hard pressed to imagine Christmas.
The album is adorned by Patricia Janečková’s gracious voice, and it features two very special guests, the harpist Kateřina Englichová and the soprano Adéla Řehořová. As in the case of other Veverka recordings, Martin Hybler has contributed with arrangements, and the soloist is accompanied by the same musicians he was on the previous project, “Next Horizon”. Owing to its encompassing a wide range of genres and neoclassical arrangement, the album will undoubtedly delight not only virtuoso oboe lovers, but also many other listeners.