The Best I've Heard
Paul West | San Marcos, Texas | 04/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I Soloisti Veneti, I believe, are one of the greatest ensembles for Vivaldi on earth. I've heard different groups perfom the oboe sonatas, but they never quite meet the standard I think is still unsurpassed by I Soloisti and Claudio Scimoni. In short, this is a very good recording, Pierlot plays brilliantly, crisp. The strings are tight and strong. Great dynamics, great balance, great sound, pure Vivialdi with all the excitement and powerful baroque charm. Vivaldi really knew how to write for the oboe. This is music of great quality and emotion that you'll play over and over again with thrill and delight. My only gripe is that they didn't record all twenty concertos in a complete package. Nonetheless, I venture to say this is the best version of the oboe concertos on the market, better even than Il Giardino Armonico."