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Label:
  Opus 111
Serial:
  OP 30397
Title:
  Vivaldi: Vespri per l'Assunzione di Maria Vergine - Alessandrini
Description:
  Vivaldi: Vespri per l'Assunzione di Maria Vergine

Gemma Bertagnolli
Roberta Invernizzi
Sara Mingardo
Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini (conductor)
Track listing:
 
Genre:
  Classical - Vocal
Content:
  Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
  Hybrid
Recording type:
  PCM
Recording info:
 

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Related titles: 1


 
Reviews: 5 show all

Review by beardawgs January 20, 2005 (7 of 8 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
Talking of pure musical indulgence! Rare are the discs that can capture pure enjoyment of music making, but having heard Alessandrini and his band few times in live performances, the success of this recording doesn’t surprise me a bit. It’s difficult to praise something that is perfect in every way – music is accomplished as it can be, performers not only sing and play, they are genuinely excited and the recording exceeds anything done so far in baroque music.

Listener is in the middle of two orchestras and choirs, while popular feature among baroque composers, ‘echo’ effect, when one word or musical phrase is repeated by two different groups, is for once captured properly (comparing to the similar feature in Bach's Christmas Oratorio, where Channel Classics recording team decided to scrap this feature altogether!) . Listening to this disc is a true live musical experience, all my senses were drawn into the acoustics, while the performers have the ability not just to perform, but to engage.

As much as this recording is a genuine ensemble work, Sara Mingardo must be mentioned separately. Her voice is just divine, she effortlessly floats through Nisi Dominus. Also, the opening concerto for two violins and two organs is a true gem, again full of echoing effects, once again captured perfectly in this stunning recording. What a shame that we are given just a selection of the complete recording, available on 2CDs!

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Review by brenda October 28, 2004 (5 of 6 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I just wanted to add my agreement to the other two reviewers. I have nothing to add to what they have written as they're spot on. This is a sumptuosly beautiful and moving disc (the Nisi Dominus in particular) which features wonderful performances and glowing, open four channel sound. If there were more than five stars, I'd give them. A gem of a disc - very, very special, - BUY IT !!!!.

p.s. - and let's hope that the remaining material on the ordinary (redbook ?) cd release is also eventually released on SACD.

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Review by LC October 25, 2004 (5 of 6 found this review helpful)
Sonics:    
This is not a full review.

A finalist in two of the 2004 Gramophone Awards categories and winner of one (Baroque Vocal), this reconstructed Vivaldi Vespers is a musical and musicological treasure. These flawless performances range from the delightful to the mesmerizing to the heart-wrenching, and although I've not heard the 4.0 mix, the stereo mix achieves a wonderful clarity and spaciousness. I am grateful to have this excellent recording on SA-CD, and recommend it unreservedly on its own terms.

However:

Do note that this is an "Extracts" version. It is 64 minutes of a 156 minute project. I am disappointed that Naive/Opus111 seems to have regarded their first, and so far only, SA-CD release as something of an experiment rather than making a complete offering for those who love this music, which is so beautiful and so varied (and so rare) that the full-length CD version should be seriously considered.

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Works: 10  

Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto in C major for Violin and 2 Orchestras, RV 581 "Per la Santissima Assuzione di Maria Vergine"
Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto in F major for 2 Violins, 2 Organs and 2 Orchestras, RV 584
Antonio Vivaldi - Dixit Dominus in D major, RV 594
Antonio Vivaldi - Domine ad adjuvandum me, RV 593
Antonio Vivaldi - Laetatus sum (Psalm No. 121), RV 607
Antonio Vivaldi - Lauda Jerusalem (Psalm No. 147), RV 609
Antonio Vivaldi - Laudate pueri Dominum (Psalm No. 112), RV 600
Antonio Vivaldi - Magnificat, RV 610a
Antonio Vivaldi - Nisi Dominus (Psalm No. 126), RV 608
Antonio Vivaldi - Salve Regina, RV 616