Hyperion Records

Two sources for the Concerto in D major, RV95 (‘La Pastorella’), are known. In his autograph score Vivaldi’s instrumentation consists of treble recorder or violin, violin or oboe, violin, bassoon and continuo. On the other hand a set of five manuscript parts in Manchester substitutes a cello obbligato for the bassoon. The outer movements have a sprightly, bucolic character; here, the solo episodes all lie in the domain of the recorder which joins the other instruments for the tuttis. The rhythm of the opening movement, evoking a rustic dance, calls to mind that of the initial Allegro of Vivaldi’s ‘Autumn’ concerto from The Four Seasons. The tender-spirited middle movement for recorder and continuo is in siciliano rhythm whose pastoral associations complement the subtitle of the work. The contrapuntal gigue which concludes the concerto also evokes an Arcadian setting.

from notes by Nicholas Anderson © 1989