Vivaldi's Viola de Gamba
Jordi Savall, king of viola da gamba players, performs seven Vivaldi concertos with his band, Le Concert des Nations
Composer: Vivaldi
Repertoire: Viola da Gamba Concertos
Artists: Concert des Nations/Jordi Savall
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Orchestral/Instrumental
Label: Alia Vox AV 9835
The dry viol tones float like gondolas over the tinkling harpsichord, and yet are suitably dark and rich in the tomb-like Concerto funebre. Savall leads with solemnity through his curling lines. The last concerto is a multi-soloist affair: trumpets exude regal pomposity but sometimes the period instrument whine predominates.