Hyperion Records

The Concerto No 5 in A major is of a completely different character to the G minor piece. Its three-movement pattern follows the up-to-date Venetian concerto in whose organization and development Vivaldi played a crucial role. The idiom of the two sparkling outer movements reflects that of the early symphony. Unlike the G minor concerto this one is, broadly speaking, a ripieno work for strings without one or more soloists. Vivaldi, too, demonstrated his talent for such pieces, probably at about the same time that Durante wrote his. Providing effective contrast with the two A major movements is a Largo in B minor, whose reflective character serves further to highlight their energy and tonal brilliance.

from notes by Nicholas Anderson © 2001