RECORDINGS

Best and Worst Seasons

There are those who say that Antonio Vivaldi, like Henry James, chewed more than he bit off. This Italian priest, who taught violin for over 35 years at a home for foundling girls in Venice, composed over 450 concerti. Some of them, such as those for piccolo and bassoon, seem warmed-over versions of his concerti for stringed instruments. Many of the latter, however, though virtually unknown between Vivaldi’s death in 1741 and the early twentieth century, are among the finest compositions in the string repertoire, superb examples of the Baroque concerto at its best.

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William E. Ratliff

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Classical Music

Best and Worst Seasons

There are those who say that Antonio Vivaldi, like Henry James, chewed more than he bit off. This Italian priest, who taught violin for over 35 years at a home for foundling girls in Venice, composed over 450 concerti. Some of them, such as those for piccolo and bassoon, seem warmed-over versions of his concerti for stringed instruments. Many of the latter, however, though virtually unknown between Vivaldi’s death in 1741 and the early twentieth century, are among the finest compositions in the string repertoire, superb examples of the Baroque concerto at its best.