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| 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.
Hot Off The Press
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| ISBN-13 : 979-8160948294 |
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| Not for Note! |
