Search - Vivaldi, Shlomo Mintz, Israel Chamber Orchestra :: Vivaldi: Violin Concertos, Vol. I & II

Although he was gifted and successful as a composer for the voice, it was as an instrumental composer, notably the violin, that Antonio Vivaldi made his most original and far-reaching contributions. Between 1705 and 1729, a period of some 25 years, Vivaldi published 12 collections of instrumental pieces. Born and living in Venice, he took his first violin lessons from his father, who was a barber and later became a professional violinist himself. Vivaldi took up his first musical post in 1703 as "maestro di violino" at the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage for girls and young women - much of his music was composed for his talented pupils there. Along with his school work, Vivaldi also made strides at getting his works published, eventually becoming the most popular composer for the violin on the European continent.
Shlomo Mintz leads the Israel Chamber Orchestra in recordings of Vivaldi's selection violin concertos. With stylistic diversity and much to charm the senses, the works are a cohesive study in concerto form. Expertly made, they are idiomatic, melodic and entertaining. The set features two six concerto CDs. With virtuosic skill, Mintz has made a fine collection that should be in every library. Strongly recommended for its content and value.