A Jubilant Journey of Oboe Mastery on Vivaldi’s “Pellegrina’s Delight”
“Vivaldi’s ‘Pellegrina’s Delight’ is a triumph; a treasure chest that overflows with joy from start to finish, sweeping listeners along in its euphoria.
Caught in the continuously revolving cycle of “Four Seasons” renditions, it feels refreshing and invigorating to experience Vivaldi’s oboe-focused works, casting us back to the instrument’s former glory days.
Holding roots in the vibrant cultural heart of Venice, Vivaldi audaciously immortalized his quartet of musically gifted females from the Ospedale della Pieta in his illustrious autographed manuscript of the Sonata in C major, RV.
In the midst of this collection, Vivaldi’s overlooked masterpiece, the Sonata in C minor for oboe and basso continuo RV 53, steals the limelight. It presents an eclectic spread of emotions and sonorities, portraying the oboe as a central figure in small ensemble or possibly acted as a substitute in the grander orchestra.
A seemingly tumultuous sea of modern music parts, revealing a joyous stream of creativity, fed by Vivaldi’s unforgettable melodies. The highlight of this fantastic collection is arguably the enchanting Sonata in C major, RV 779, with its engaging display of oboe, organ, violin, and bassoon.
Vivaldi’s symphonic masterpiece kindles the listener’s imagination with its diverse harmonic colors, captivating tones, and emotionally charged lyricism. The baroque organ parts hurtle us on a roller-coaster of musical sensation, with each twist and turn as thrilling as the last.
The talented early-music maestros and their period instruments have been assembled by world-renowned ensembles, making them the highest authority in this musical style. They combine to present a powerhouse performance, well-illustrated by Gail Hennessy and Nicholas Parle’s performances on the baroque oboe and organ/harpsichord across the album’s seven tracks.
In tracks like Sonata in G minor, RV 28, Hennessy’s virtuosic skills navigate the challenges of her period instrument with mesmerizing aplomb. Parle’s organ work in Sonata in C major, RV 779 is a lesson in technical mastery and exquisite execution, a testament to the stellar credentials of these musicians.
Under Richter’s distinguished leadership, this album becomes a must-listen for any music lover, securing its place as the standout baroque and chamber recording of the year.
The ensemble’s unquenchable passion and effervescent performance style transform this recording into an animated celebration of the sheer joy that musical mastery can bring. This is notably felt in the andante of Sonata in G major, RV 779 on track 5.
From the haunting intensity of Hennessy’s baroque oboe in track 1 of Sonata in C minor, RV to the delightful array of pieces the album presents, this is a must-listen for the discerning music enthusiast. Regardless of any initial skepticism, one can’t help but be swept away by the compelling charisma of this carefully curated collection.”
