Antonio Vivaldi: Cellokonzerte RV 401,415-418,420 on CD

Es ist eigenartig, dass jemand, der mehr solokonzerte für Violoncello komponierte als irgendjemand anders in der Musikgeschichte – der neuesten Berechnung zufolge sind es insgesamt 28 – das Instrument wohl nicht selber gespielt hat. Der brillante Cellist Jonathan Cohen spielt ein wunderbares italienisches Instrument von 1712. Gemeinsam mit dem Orchester des King's College erfüllt er Vivaldis geniale Kompositionen mit neuem Leben.

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Vivaldi wrote more cello concertos (twenty-eight, at the last count) than anyone else to date. This exciting new recording presents six works by the Italian master and one particularly fine
Concerto whose attribution is in question; all seven are wonderful examples of the form to which Vivaldi continually returned throughout his long composing career.

Vivaldi is not known to have been a cellist, but his interest in the instrument can be ascribed to a distinguished list of virtuosic performers at the Pietà, the Venetian orphanage whose musical prowess was the envy of contemporary Europe. Vivaldi himself worked for the institution for some years, continuing to supply fresh compositions long after other engagements took him further afield.

Jonathan Cohen is a young British cellist, rapidly developing a versatile reputation for sensitive and accomplished performance across a range of genres. His mellifluous interpretations of these concertos are a joy of hear—if his name is new, this disc will surely convince a wider audience of an astonishing talent. Accompaniment is provided by Robert King and The King's Consort, acknowledged leaders in the interpretation of Vivaldi.

Rezensionen

»[Cohen] combines an easy and soulful tone with incisive precision and agility« (Gramophone)

»Cohen finds constant variety and individuality in these works« (The Strad)

»Very delectable« (The Times)

»The playing...is first rate – phrases are beautifully wrought and each of the works is given a distinctive flavour. This is a recital to savour!« (Early Music Review)