Composer: Giuseppe Tartini, Francesco Maria Veracini, Antonio Vivaldi
Performer: Nicola Benedetti
Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Christian Curnyn
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Decca
Catalogue: 4764342
Release: 2011
Size: 354 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Vivaldi: Concerto In D RV208 “Grosso Mogul”
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Recitativo: Grave
03. III. Allegro
04. Vivaldi: Vedro Con Mio Diletto – Aria From Giustino
Tartini: Sonata in G Minor for Violin and Continuo, B.g5 – “The Devil’s Trill”
05. 1. Larghetto affettuoso
06. 2. Allegro
07. 3. Andante – Allegro
Vivaldi: Concerto In A minor RV358 “La Cetra”
08. I. Adagio-Presto
09. II. Largo
10. III. Allegro
Veracini: Sonata No. 6 in A Major (from Sonate accademiche op. 2)
11. Largo
Tartini: Violin Concerto In A Minor, D115 “A Lunardo Venier”
12. I. Allegro-Cantabile – Allegro Assai
13. II. Andante-Cantabile
14. III. Presto
15. Vivaldi: Nulla In Mundo Pax Sincera (Aria)
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
16. Summer I. Allegro Non Molto
17. Summer II. Adagio e Piano – Presto Forte
18. Summer III. Presto
Nicola Benedetti’s debut album on the Decca label is her first recording of baroque violin repertoire Recorded in Edinburgh, the album celebrates Nicola Benedetti’s Scottish-Italian heritage as she plays virtuoso Italian masterpieces, accompanied by the leading chamber orchestra of her native country.
The album highlights baroque favourites including Summer from Vivaldi’s ever-popular Four Seasons and Tartini’s famous Devil’s Trill sonata, for which Nicola is joined by a hand-picked chamber ensemble.
The generous selection ranges from the sparkling virtuosity of the opening Vivaldi Concerto Grosso Mogul, to the poignant lament of the Veracini Largo and the lyrical beauty of the two arrangements of Vivaldi vocal works, including the haunting Nulla in mundo pax sincera.
The orchestra is directed from the harpsichord by leading baroque specialist Christian Curnyn.
From the start of her career, violinist Nicola Benedetti has shown strong interest in playing a variety of works, from big Romantic blockbusters, such as concertos by Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky and Max Bruch, to compositions by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Karol Szymanowski, John Tavener, and James MacMillan. Judging from these choices, one might expect her to stick with the 19th and 20th century repertoire, yet for Italia, her 2011 Decca release, she has made a surprising leap back in time to the Baroque era of Antonio Vivaldi, Giuseppe Tartini, and Francesco Veracini. Accompanied by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Christian Curnyn, Benedetti plays with brilliant virtuosity, absolute clarity, and a gentle, dolce tone that makes her performances especially personal and attractive. The minimal vibrato in Benedetti’s playing gives it an authentic sheen, which is complemented by the ensemble’s period sound in the concertos, as well as by the scintillating continuo part in the sonatas. Two of Vivaldi’s vocal works in violin arrangements are included, “Vedrò con mio diletto” from Il Giustino, and the solo motet, Nulla in mundo pax sincera, both of which Benedetti offers with affecting sincerity and charm. Add to the exceptionally stylish playing the resonant performance space, and Decca’s flawless reproduction, which captures the performances with full luster, and this album will be regarded as one of Benedetti’s most appealing and popular.