Olivier Fourés refers to Venice as a “theatrical city, a city of masques that was famous for its spies, its courtesans and other libertines, and that formed a single vast maze cut off from terra firma and shrouded in legendary mists in winter.” Vivaldi’s violin concertos embody it all, and Carmignola and the Venice Baroque Orchestra bring it to life beautifully. 

Carmignola makes his instrument speak with such clarity that it truly justifies the violin’s age-old reputation as the instrument that is able to emulate the human voice; his superb technique is joined by a profound sense of musicianship. It is his understanding of the rhetorical elements of music that makes these performances so special; not only are the nuances of human emotions clearly expressed, seemingly the scenery of that thrilling city is depicted as well.  However, Carmignola is not alone with his superb playing. 

The musicians of the Venice Baroque Orchestra, under the leadership of Andrea Marcon, display an equal understanding of the music and express it with remarkable skill.  The phrasing in the tutti sections is equally rich and is sensitive to the various rhetorical gestures of the music.  The imaginative use of continuo throughout the recording greatly contributes to the overall effect of the music.  Sections within the individual movements are relegated to various combinations of continuo instruments, beautifully supporting the overall sentiment of the music and adding additional color to this excellent recording. ŽAK OZMO