Vivaldi, Violin Concertos

THIS bundle of concertos, composed in the 1730s, will be fairly unfamiliar to even the most ardent enthusiasts of Vivaldi.

They came late in his career and offer a different, and quite distinctive, style of their own.

Until 1729, the composer had occasionally published sets of his work.

This all changed, however, when Vivaldi realised that he could earn more by publishing them singly and selling them to wealthy visitors to Venice.

As a result these pieces are almost unknown and without titles they have far less chance of being noticed, or remembered!

Giuliano Carmignola, violin, and the Venice Baroque Orchestra present this late Vivaldi style to perfection.

The composer, showing the privileges of old age, has written for himself instead of others and this probably accounts for the freshness of style.

Carmignola is a fine soloist and finds his way round the composer's lines with deftness.

Sony Classical

SK89362

Beethoven, Complete Violin Sonatas

BEETHOVEN enthusiasts will truly relish this splendid four-CD collection featuring David Oistrakh (violin) and Lev Oborin (piano).

The playing is clear and expressive and Oistrakh's playing is powerful, especially during the passionate sections.

There is nothing self-indulgent about this performance and it lives in the memory alongside other finely-judged playing.

Oistrakh communicates great warmth in Beethoven's sonatas and this collection should be a must-have for lovers of the composer himself and the violin as an instrument.

Philips 468 406-02PB4