Vivaldi
Les Violins do Roy, Mathieu Lussier
ATMA ACD2 2602
Review
The following is an excerpt from Strings Attached (April 2016) which can be read in its entirety here.
These qualities are more than captured in Vivaldi, the outstanding new CD from Les Violins du Roy under Mathieu Lussier (ATMA ACD2 2602). Moreover, the six concertos here display the wide range of solo combinations that Vivaldi used, as 16 of the orchestra members are featured as soloists. Just look at the range of works: the two Concertos in F Major for Violin, Two Oboes, Bassoon, Two Horns, Strings and Continuo RV569 and RV574; the Concerto in B Minor for Four Violins, Cello, Strings and Continuo RV580; the Concerto in G Minor for Violin, Two Recorders, Two Oboes, Bassoon, Strings and Continuo RV577; and the Concerto in E Minor for Four Violins, Strings and Continuo RV550.
There is a brief Sinfonia from the opera La verità in cimento, RV739 before the final Concerto in C Major for Two Trumpets, Strings and Continuo RV537, whose familiar opening three notes will immediately bring to mind the closing doors on a TTC subway car for Toronto residents; the dazzling third movement brings to a close a CD that is a pure delight from start to finish.
The orchestral texture is warm and bright, with a discreet and beautifully balanced continuo and a clear and resonant recorded sound.
