Vivaldi: 12 Violin Concertos, Op. 4, "La Stravaganza"

There is an understandable tendency to assume that most of Vivaldi’s 200+ violin concertos sound very similar. Even the disc’s soloist, Rachel Podger, admits in her booklet note that she “rather arrogantly assumed I’d have to put my mind to making them sound as different from each other as possible.” She goes on to say, “I’m ashamed of that thought now, since I quickly realised that I wasn’t dealing with ‘samey’ music at all, but with extreme inventiveness within a definite framework.” And no-one listening to this recording of La Stravaganza could deny the imaginative quality of these compositions.

Most of the twelve concertos follow the standard three-movement allegro/largo/allegro format, but thereafter each work goes its own way. Written in a wide variety of major and minor keys (only G major appears twice) they embrace a wide spectrum of colour and texture. Vivaldi’s rhythmic vitality and energy in the opening movement of the first concerto grab the listener by the scruff of the neck, before he sends one heaven-ward with a slow movement of mesmerising beauty. The ethereally-spun phrases of the A minor concerto’s slow movement, harmonically unpredictable; the chaconne-like final movement of the G minor, with its violin pyrotechnics and skittering scales; the demonic opening of the D minor, requiring amazing feats of virtuosity from soloist and orchestra, swiftly followed by a Presto where the emotional screw is tightened to extraordinary effect before the gently falling raindrops of the soothing Adagio; these are just some of the music’s high points. And even when Vivaldi is not at his most inventive, there is much to delight the ear, for example, the rather unimaginative tutti writing of the E minor’s Largo is offset by a freely meandering violin solo which could have come straight from a Turkish harem.

Rachel Podger’s playing is technically flawless and musically sublime. Her partners, the young Polish-based players of Arte dei Suonatori, provide a stunning foil, producing a rich, sonorous orchestral sound, a great sense of urgency in the fast movements and gorgeous textures, especially in the plucked accompaniments. This set is very much a musical partnership, and is one of the most exciting and musically rewarding Vivaldi recordings I have had the pleasure to hear.