Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Spring, RV269
Work length 9:29
Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin)
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan
Recorded: 09-11 December 2010
Recording Venue: Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California, United States
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Summer, RV315
Work length 9:52
Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin)
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan
Recorded: 09-11 December 2010
Recording Venue: Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California, United States
I. Allegro non moto
II. Adagio
III. Presto
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Autumn, RV293
Work length 10:09
Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin)
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan
Recorded: 09-11 December 2010
Recording Venue: Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California, United States
I. Allegro
II. Adagio molto
III. Allegro
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Winter, RV297
Work length 8:13
Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin)
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan
Recorded: 09-11 December 2010
Recording Venue: Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California, United States
I. Allegro non molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in B-Flat Major, RV 375
Work length 13:54
Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin)
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan
Recorded: 09-11 December 2010
Recording Venue: Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California, United States
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E minor, RV277 'Il favorito'
Work length 13:32
Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin)
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan
Recorded: 09-11 December 2010
Recording Venue: Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California, United States
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E major, RV271 'L'Amoroso'
Work length 9:57
Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin)
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan
Recorded: 09-11 December 2010
Recording Venue: Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California, United States
I. Allegro
II. Cantabile
III. Allegro
Our familiarity with Vivaldi’s music makes it a particular challenge to any soloist not only to measure up to the virtuosity of past performers, but also to bring to the performance something new. In the case of Elizabeth Blumenstock and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, that “something new” is actually something very old and precious in its authenticity and faithfulness—a performance that would, without doubt, have pleased the Red Priest mightily.
RV271, L’amoroso and RV277, Il favorito were part of a set of six concertos Vivaldi gave to Emperor Charles VI, who rewarded him with lots of money, a knighthood, a gold medal and an invitation to come visit him in Vienna. And yet one cannot help feeling that these pieces weren’t actually written for the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. The innocent tenderness and joy of L’amoroso and Il favorito, their distinctly feminine lyric sadness and longing, would point to the pieces first having been written for the girls and women of the Pietà.
The rarely recorded concerto in B-flat major (RV375) is from Vivaldi’s late period. Complex and nuanced, the piece is filled with emotions that seem to belong more exclusively to the composer. While RV375 is recognisably the work of the same exuberant man who composed “The Four Seasons,” there is a morbid sense of foreboding in the music, especially in the first movement, and a tone of defiance throughout.
Baroque violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock is widely admired as a performer of compelling verve and eloquence. She has played with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra since 1981 as a regular soloist, concertmaster, and leader. She is also a regular concertmaster with American Bach Soloists, the Göttingen Händelfestspiel Orchestra and the Italian ensemble Il Complesso Barocco. She plays a 1660 Andrea Guarneri violin on loan from the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Period Instrument Trust.