Stravinsky famously quipped that Vivaldi didn't write 400 concertos, rather he wrote one concerto 400 times. Rather unfair, though witty. For many people though, Vivaldi is the composer of The Four Seasons (the first four of the twelve concertos Op.8), and maybe the famous Gloria. He is a composer who repays closer attention. There are some superb concertos in his large output, and some of them were sufficiently striking enough to attract the attention of J.S. Bach and Johann Quantz. His concertos are remarkable not only for the wealth of invention and the outstanding quality of the music, but also for the amazing range of instruments he wrote for. This release is devoted to concertos for sopranino and alto recorders. Two of his greatest concertos 'Tempesta di mare' (Storm at Sea) and 'La notte' (Night) feature on the programme. Erik Bosgraaf has led a colorful musical career - from rock musician, to oboist, then virtuoso recorder-player. In 2007, Frans Bruggen invited him to perform Bach's Actus Tragicus at the Concertgebouw. In 2009, Erik was awarded the prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust award.
1 Concerto in C Major, RV 444, for Sopranino Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo: I. Allegro Non Molto
2 Concerto in C Major, RV 444, for Sopranino Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo: II. Largo
3 Concerto in C Major, RV 444, for Sopranino Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo: III. Allegro Molto
4 Concerto in G minor, RV 439 (La Notte), for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Bassoon, Basso Continuo: I. Largo
5 Concerto in G minor, RV 439 (La Notte), for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Bassoon, Basso Continuo: II. Presto - Largo - Andante - Presto (Fantasmi)
6 Concerto in G minor, RV 439 (La Notte), for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Bassoon, Basso Continuo: III. Largo (Il Sonno)
7 Concerto in G minor, RV 439 (La Notte), for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Bassoon, Basso Continuo: IV. Allegro
8 Concerto in F Major, RV 98 (Tempesta Di Mare), for Alto Recorder, Oboe, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Basso Continuo: I. [Allegro]
9 Concerto in F Major, RV 98 (Tempesta Di Mare), for Alto Recorder, Oboe, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Basso Continuo: II. Largo
10 Concerto in F Major, RV 98 (Tempesta Di Mare), for Alto Recorder, Oboe, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Basso Continuo: III. Presto
11 Concerto in G minor, RV 105, for Alto Recorder, Oboe, Violin, Bassoon, Basso Continuo: I. Allegro
12 Concerto in G minor, RV 105, for Alto Recorder, Oboe, Violin, Bassoon, Basso Continuo: II. Largo
13 Concerto in G minor, RV 105, for Alto Recorder, Oboe, Violin, Bassoon, Basso Continuo: III. [Allegro Molto]
14 Concerto in F Major, RV 442, for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo ('Tutti Gli Strumenti Sordini'): I. Allegro Non Molto
15 Concerto in F Major, RV 442, for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo ('Tutti Gli Strumenti Sordini'): II. Largo Cantabile
16 Concerto in F Major, RV 442, for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo ('Tutti Gli Strumenti Sordini'): III. Allegro
17 Concerto in C minor, RV 441, for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo: I. Allegro Non Molto
18 Concerto in C minor, RV 441, for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo: II. Largo
19 Concerto in C minor, RV 441, for Alto Recorder, Two Violins, Viola, Basso Continuo: III. [Allegro]
20 Concerto in C Major, RV 443, for Sopranino Recorder, Violin, Viola, Basso Continuo: I. [Allegro]
21 Concerto in C Major, RV 443, for Sopranino Recorder, Violin, Viola, Basso Continuo: II. Largo
22 Concerto in C Major, RV 443, for Sopranino Recorder, Violin, Viola, Basso Continuo: III. Allegro Molto
Stravinsky famously quipped that Vivaldi didn't write 400 concertos, rather he wrote one concerto 400 times. Rather unfair, though witty. For many people though, Vivaldi is the composer of The Four Seasons (the first four of the twelve concertos Op.8), and maybe the famous Gloria. He is a composer who repays closer attention. There are some superb concertos in his large output, and some of them were sufficiently striking enough to attract the attention of J.S. Bach and Johann Quantz. His concertos are remarkable not only for the wealth of invention and the outstanding quality of the music, but also for the amazing range of instruments he wrote for. This release is devoted to concertos for sopranino and alto recorders. Two of his greatest concertos 'Tempesta di mare' (Storm at Sea) and 'La notte' (Night) feature on the programme. Erik Bosgraaf has led a colorful musical career - from rock musician, to oboist, then virtuoso recorder-player. In 2007, Frans Bruggen invited him to perform Bach's Actus Tragicus at the Concertgebouw. In 2009, Erik was awarded the prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust award.