We’re back to chilly again.
As I type these words, it’s 31 degrees under cloudy skies. I supposed that’s not bad for March 27 in Michigan. Still, a few weeks ago the temperatures were in the mid- to upper-60s. Granted, that’s unseasonable. But I’ll take unseasonable over typical every time. In the winter, that is. In the summer, I prefer normal.
I guess I’m fickle that way.
This morning, I have the 1929 Marx Brothers movie The Cocoanuts playing in the background. I can’t hear it, of course. Not with my Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones on. But I know the movie by heart. The visuals, alone, will give me chuckles while I’m grooving to Vivaldi – especially the scenes with Groucho and perennial straight-woman Margaret Dumont.
The first thing that caught my attention listening to Vivaldi was Track 3 – Sonata #8 in G major (RV 23), corrente: allegro.
What yanked my attention from Groucho insulting Margaret was the sound of pizzicato, the technique of plucking strings that always reminds me of cartoon characters sneaking up on one another. It makes me smile every time I hear it.
I’m not at Panera this morning. So I can’t imbibe their Light Roast coffee laced with cinnamon.
But I have my own light roast coffee. And my own cinnamon.
So I laced it myself.
And it’s good.
As is the music today.
Aside from the aforementioned pizzicato, these pieces seem more somber to me, especially Sonata #12 in A minor, Op. 2/12 (RV 32), Preludio. But, wow! The second movement (Capriccio) completely changes the mood as the players leap from the gate like a team of race horses. Lively doesn’t even begin to describe the second movement to Sonata #12.
That’s a brilliant juxtaposition. Just when I think the composition is going in one direction, Vivaldi yanks it over into another direction.
Just the Facts
L’Arte dell’Arco, led by (I presume) violinist Federico Guglielmo performed these sonatas.
Francesco Galligioni, cello
Roberto Loreggian, harpsichord/chamber organ
Michele Pasotti, theorbo/guitar
CD 4 has 20 tracks with a total running time of 43:17.
This recording is marked DDD, which means it is an all-digital recording. (Digitally recorded, Digitally mixed, and Digitally mastered.) Purists, those folks who think vinyl sounds better than CDs (they’re wrong) would probably look askance at this recording. To my ears, this is the best way to record music to precisely capture every note. But what do I know?
Just the Feelings
Recording quality: 5
Overall musicianship/vocals: 5
CD liner notes: 2 (booklet in box set)/5 pdf download from web site
How does this make me feel: 4
I tend to prefer the lively pieces. The violin playing, for example, is terrific on Track 17, which is Sonata in F minor, Op. 2/10, RV 21 Giga. The preludio of Track 18 is a big letdown after the Giga of Track 17.
But then Track 19 (Sonata in B minor Op. 2/5, RV 36 Corrente) leaps to the forefront with more stellar violin work. Ditto for Track 20 (Sonata in B minor, Op. 2/5, RV 36, Giga.
Overall, I’m really diggin’ these compositions!