It is hard to get much closer to the original: the Venice Baroque Orchestra is based in Vivaldi’s birthplace and city of activity, and specialises in the music of the Baroque master. Under the direction of Andrea Marcon and with violinist Chouchane Siranossian, the ensemble presents a programme showcasing the full range of Vivaldi’s music – and, of course, the famous »Four Seasons« are not to be missed.
Alongside this evergreen, Siranossian shines in Vivaldi’s concerto »Grosso mogul«, an early work by the composer whose dazzling passages and exuberant virtuosity captivated Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach arranged the concerto for organ. The mysterious title is presumably a reference to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who ruled India and was also notorious in Europe.
Bach was not the only composer to be profoundly influenced by Vivaldi: a veritable »Vivaldi fever« spread across national borders. At the time, however, the »Four Seasons« were not yet his best-known work. That distinction belonged to the cycle »L’Estro Armonico« (The Harmonic Inspiration). The ensemble performs a concerto for two cellos and strings from this collection.
PERFORMERS
Venice Baroque Orchestra chamber orchestra
Chouchane Siranossian violin
Andrea Marcon director
PROGRAM
Antonio Vivaldi
Sinfonia für Streicher und Basso continuo G-Dur RV 146
Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto für zwei Violoncelli, Streicher und Basso continuo g-Moll RV 531
Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto for Violin, Strings, and Basso Continuo in D major, RV 208 »Grosso Mogul«
- Interval -
Antonio Vivaldi
Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons), Op. 8
