Harmonie Universelle, Florian Deuter and Mónica Waisman - Vivaldi: La Porta delle Muse (2012)

Following on from their successful recording of Vivaldi violin concertos under the label Eloquentia issued in 2008, Florian Deuter, Mónica Waismann and the ensemble Harmonie Universelle continue their exploration of the Venetian master’s music with their first CD for the label Accent. Alongside concertos for one violin (RV 246 and 330) and two violins (RV 510 and 208), the CD includes concertos and sinfonias for strings (RV 125, 128, 138, 157): with the exception of the concerto RV 510, these works are performed in their previously unedited original versions which have been specially prepared for this recording by the renowned Vivaldi expert Olivier Fourés who additionally provided the booklet essay with an informative insight into Vivaldi’s compositional concepts and his Venetian environment.

The recording is distinguished by its vivacity and rich instrumental timbres. Harmonie Universelle cultivates a consistently brilliant timbre which never becomes acerbic and is further enhanced by the highly varied instrumentation of its continuo group: psaltery, harp and Baroque guitar add their individual tonal colouring alongside lute, theorbo, harpsichord and positive organ.

Florian Deuter is one of the best-known Baroque violinists of his generation. He spent many years as the leader of a number of leading European Baroque orchestras (Musica Antiqua Köln, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Les Musiciens du Louvre etc.) before founding his own ensemble Harmonie Universelle in 2003.

Tracklist:

01. Sinfonia in D major, RV 125: I. Allegro 01:33
02. Sinfonia in D major, RV 125: II. Adagio 03:36
03. Sinfonia in D major, RV 125: III. Allegro 01:30
04. Concerto for 2 Violins in C minor, RV 510: I. Allegro 02:58
05. Concerto for 2 Violins in C minor, RV 510: II. Largo 01:33
06. Concerto for 2 Violins in C minor, RV 510: III. Allegro 02:25
07. Concerto for Strings in D minor, RV 128: I. Allegro non moto 03:12
08. Concerto for Strings in D minor, RV 128: II. Largo 01:33
09. Concerto for Strings in D minor, RV 128: III. Allegro 02:14
10. Violin Concerto in D minor, RV 246 (arr. O. Foures): I. Allegro 03:16
11. Violin Concerto in D minor, RV 246 (arr. O. Foures): II. Largo 03:33
12. Violin Concerto in D minor, RV 246 (arr. O. Foures): III. Allegro 02:52
13. Concerto for Strings in F major, RV 138: I. Allegro 03:07
14. Concerto for Strings in F major, RV 138: II. Adagio 00:57
15. Concerto for Strings in F major, RV 138: III. Allegro 02:24
16. Violin Concerto in G minor, RV 330: I. Allegro 03:33
17. Violin Concerto in G minor, RV 330: II. Largo 02:40
18. Violin Concerto in G minor, RV 330: III. Allegro 02:51
19. Concerto for Strings in G minor, RV 157: I. Allegro 02:09
20. Concerto for Strings in G minor, RV 157: II. Largo 01:50
21. Concerto for Strings in G minor, RV 157: III. Allegro 02:04
22. Concerto for 2 Violins in C major, RV 508: I. Allegro 04:23
23. Concerto for 2 Violins in C major, RV 508: II. Largo 02:18
24. Concerto for 2 Violins in C major, RV 508: III. Allegro 02:46

Musicians:
Cello – Jennifer Hardy, Leonhard Bartussek
Classical Guitar [Baroque] – Michael Dücker (tracks: 1, 3, 13, 15)
Double Bass – Roberto Fernandez de Larrinoa
Harp – Johanna Seitz (tracks: 1 to 15)
Harpsichord – Philippe Grisvard (tracks: 1, 3, 10-22, 24)
Lute – Michael Dücker (tracks: 2, 4-9, 22, 24)
Organ – Philippe Grisvard (tracks: 4-6)
Psaltery – Elisabeth Seitz (tracks: 1-3, 7-9, 22-24)
Theorbo – Michael Dücker (tracks: 10-12, 16-21)
Viola – David Glidden, Marta Paramo
Violin – Evan Few, Joseph Tan, Kirstin Deeken, Ulrike Winkler
Violin, Concertmistress – Mónica Waisman (tracks: 10-12)
Violin, Soloist, Directed By – Florian Deuter (tracks: 16-18)
Ensemble – Harmonie Universelle

Composer – Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Recorded in June 2009, Cologne (Deutschlandfunk Kammermusiksaal), Germany