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| Album Review |
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| Musica Pacifica |
| Fire Beneath My Fingers |
Venice, early 1700’s: After 1100 years of rich and remarkable history reaching her peak as a world power in the 15th century, The Most Serene Republic of Venice would be dissolved by Napoleon in 1797. It is against this kind of backdrop that Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) and Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770) would live and perform their life works. Giuseppe Sammartini (1695-1750), having been born in neighboring Milan then moving to London, also taught, composed and performed in this same exciting time period.
As contemporary virtuoso performers, Vivaldi, Tartini and Sammartini benefited from Arcangelo Corelli’s development of the concerto grosso form, themselves producing compositions displaying a love of musicianship and instrumental virtuoso performance. All three were productive composers, with Tartini composing mainly for violin, and Vivaldi and Sammartini composing for a broader range of instruments including recorder and bassoon.
Vivaldi is best known for his set of four Baroque violin concerti Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons). His prolific compositional output affected the style beyond Baroque and influenced, among others, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Tartini, famous for his demanding Violin Sonata in G minor (Devil’s Trill Sonata), composed over 130 concerti and 170 sonatas for violin, in addition to starting a renowned violin school in Padua. Giuseppe Sammartini (not to be confused with his brother Giovanni) was an oboist and a highly regarded composer of concerti.
Musica Pacifica’s Fire Beneath My Fingers is comprised of three Vivaldi concerti, one Tartini concerto, one Sammartini concerto and one Vivaldi sonata. These selections exemplify the musical style of the time while displaying the unique style of each composer. Tartini’s Concerto in A Major receives exquisite solo violin playing (Elizabeth Blumenstock) that ranges from emotive and songful to virtuosic. Notable also is the dialogue between bassoon (Michael McCraw) and recorder (Judith Linsenberg) in Vivaldi’s Sonata in A minor. Sammartini’s Concerto in F Major receives masterful playing on soprano recorder. The ensemble performance is tight and lively, living up to American Record Guide’s description of Musica Pacifica as "some of the finest Baroque musicians in America." One can enjoy a visit to a very interesting time in the past with a freshness of the present. The performance is timeless, not old.
In the program notes Kate van Orden writes "In (Corelli’s) footsteps followed an illustrious generation of Italian instrumental virtuosi who took to composition." In these compositions exists a fire passed down from the original virtuosi that might be experienced today in a live performance by ensembles such as Musica Pacifica. Until that opportunity arises for you (and may it be soon,) this recording is great fun.
Judith Linsenberg, recorders
Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin
Michael McCraw, bassoon
Robert Mealy, violin
Claire Jolivet, violin
Peter Bucknell, viola
William Skeen, violoncello
Josh Lee, double bass
Daniel Swenberg, theorbo, archlute, baroque guitar
Charles Sherman, harpsichord, organ
Produced by Ronn McFarlane
Recorded at Ayrshire Ball Room, January 2006. |
Link to Album site |
Copyright ©2008 In C Major
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The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for the original concert information. Check with the official event web site prior to the performance to confirm information. Although we do our best, we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of concert program information presented on this site. All information is subject to change.
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