Are there still revelations to be heard in new Vivaldi concerto recordings? There certainly are in this dazzling, extrovert collection of concertos all for two violins – like a tennis match in music, the two protagonists toss figures, rhythms and phrases across the net with ever-increasing excitement and intensity. To imagine these virtuosic pieces played by Vivaldi’s girl pupils at the Ospedale della Pietà adds an almost erotic charge to the music-making. Many of the movements are flamboyant, like RV 507 with its initial solo flourishes, but others are sober and deep, like the Andante from RV 513. Giuliano Carmignola (who recorded with Abbado’s Orchestra Mozart) and Amandine Beyer match perfectly. A winner.
