The Italian composers of the Baroque, led by Antonio Vivaldi, often honored the small instruments of the lute family in their rich compositional oeuvres. At the time these instruments with a fourth-third tuning were known by various names, for example, as the leuto, leutino, mandola, or mandolla. Today the small lute is uniformly termed the "Baroque mandolin" and more rarely the "soprano lute." The number of composers who wrote attractive works for the mandolin documents the fact that it was then a much-played instrument that musical audiences liked to hear. Accordingly, this new recording brings together concertos, trios, and sonatas by Carlo Arrigoni, Johann Adolf Hasse, Ranieri Capponi, and - of course - Vivaldi. What is particularly surprising here is the so very homogeneous sound of the dialogue between the Baroque mandolin and the Baroque violin - since they are two very different instruments in the field of tonal production. The tonal beauty of both solo parts, with one duo partner supporting the other with accompanying broken chords, produces a captivating effect in the second movement of Vivaldi's Concerto RV 548. The magic of the fascinating tonal idiom of the mandolin and violin duo makes us wish that this rediscovered version will find many delighted listeners. Anna Torge, our soloist on the Baroque mandolin (six courses), has made a name for herself as one of the leading virtuosos on this instrument.

Tracklist:

Concerto For Oboe & Violin In B-Flat Major, Rv 548 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin & Chamber Ensemble): I. Allegro
Concerto For Oboe & Violin In B-Flat Major, Rv 548 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin & Chamber Ensemble): II. Largo
Concerto For Oboe & Violin In B-Flat Major, Rv 548 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin & Chamber Ensemble): III. Allegro
Trio Sonata In G Minor, Rv 85 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin, Cello & Lute): I. Andante Molto
Trio Sonata In G Minor, Rv 85 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin, Cello & Lute): II. Larghetto
Trio Sonata In G Minor, Rv 85 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin, Cello & Lute): III. Allegro
Trio In E Minor: I. -
Trio In E Minor: II. (Canzona)
Trio In E Minor: III. (Courante. Adagio)
Trio In E Minor: IV. -
Mandolin Concerto In C Major: I. -
Mandolin Concerto In C Major: II. (Mandolino Solo Con Violoncello)
Mandolin Concerto In C Major: III. (Tutti Unisoni)
Sonata No. 8 In E Minor: I. Largo
Sonata No. 8 In E Minor: II. Allegro Assai
Sonata No. 8 In E Minor: III. Affettuoso
Sonata No. 8 In E Minor: IV. Allegro Assai
Trio Sonata In C Major, Rv 82 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin, Cello & Lute): I. Allegro Con Molto
Trio Sonata In C Major, Rv 82 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin, Cello & Lute): II. Larghetto
Trio Sonata In C Major, Rv 82 (Arr. For Mandolin, Violin, Cello & Lute): III. Allegro
Mandolin Concerto In G Major, Op. 3 No. 11: I. Allegro
Mandolin Concerto In G Major, Op. 3 No. 11: II. Largo. Allegro
Mandolin Concerto In G Major, Op. 3 No. 11: III. Allegro

UPC: 761203505029
Label: Cpo Records
Release Date: 6.15.18
Format: CD

Vivaldi / Torge / Hirasaki - Mandolino E Violino in Italia (CD)