Hyperion Records

In the outer movements of the Concerto in D major, RV94, for treble recorder, oboe, violin, bassoon and continuo Vivaldi affords pride of place to the violin although the other instruments, notably the recorder, have a solo role to play too. The solo episodes of the first movement are vividly contrasted instrumentally, rhythmically, and melodically. The first belongs solely to the violin whilst in the second the recorder is dominant with oboe and violin interjections. Episode three is shared between violin and recorder, and in episode four the recorder plays a lyrical ‘cantilena’ to the accompaniment of violin arpeggios. The fifth episode highlights the violin once more, but with short tutti interruptions. The binary middle movement is entrusted to the recorder whose expressive melody is accompanied by arpeggio figures on the violin. The concluding movement begins with an energetic violin solo from which a powerful unison tutti develops. As the music progresses so, too, does the virtuoso role of the violin become increasingly apparent.

from notes by Nicholas Anderson © 1989