Baroque in Prague

Vivaldi Orchestra Praga's Theorbo
St. Nicholas's Church, Old Town Square, Prague

Let’s face it: Vivaldi's Four Seasons have been done to death.  It seems that ever since I first heard them on 12" disc back in 1974, performers have been extracting this or that angle from their seemingly samey movements. Bach himself couldn’t resist the urge to fiddle about with their seductive patterns. Most recently we’ve had this shameless Richter character Maxxing them out with the Philip Glass treatment. Honestly, the whole thing has become a snore.

Until I get to Prague, that is, and hear what a group of purists do with the owl things. At first I am startled and disquieted by the opening of each movement. Gone is the expression. The opening bars are all played in brisk, no nonsense fashion, presumably as the score indicates. The Vivaldi Orchestra of Praga specialise in playing period instruments, for example substituting a theorbo (a huge plucked guitar-like instrument) for the usual harpsichord. Their leader, Václav Návrat, acts as conductor, but the orchestra plays as an ensemble of only seven: two violins, two violas, bass, cello and the basso continuo (theorbo).

I say “gone is the expression” because I am shaking my head at first, I don’t understand this Pure Maths approach. It is as though an AI orchestra has got hold of the score and turned it into a music box rendition. But I am so wrong and they are so right. The statement of the opening themes is just that: these are the notes that will gradually progress into exquisite, hypnotic renditions of each movement. Yes, the saying is true: Prague is the centre of the Baroque world. Vivaldi lives and breathes here, shrugging off all the weird and wacky interpretations foisted onto his work. But there is also Handel and Bach on display. I cannot recommend these concerts more. But be prepared to have your expectations drilled out of you.

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ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8160948294

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