Nicola Benedetti directs (16.09.21)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

7.30 p.m. this evening

Nicola Benedetti directs her ensemble of period instrument players in a vivid rediscovery of works by Vivaldi, Geminiani and Tartini.

Geminiani: Concerto Grosso in D minor H.143 ‘La Folia’
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in D major RV211
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in Eb major RV257
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in B minor RV386
Vivaldi: ‘Summer’ from The Four Seasons
Tartini: Largo-Andante from Violin Concerto in A major D96

The Benedetti Baroque Orchestra
Nicola Benedetti (director/violin)

[french frank]

Is this a surprise? I had no idea she had an interest in Early (including Baroque) Music to the extent of directing her own ensemble.

7.30 p.m. this evening

Nicola Benedetti directs her ensemble of period instrument players in a vivid rediscovery of works by Vivaldi, Geminiani and Tartini.

Geminiani: Concerto Grosso in D minor H.143 ‘La Folia’
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in D major RV211
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in Eb major RV257
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in B minor RV386
Vivaldi: ‘Summer’ from The Four Seasons
Tartini: Largo-Andante from Violin Concerto in A major D96

The Benedetti Baroque Orchestra
Nicola Benedetti (director/violin)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Is this a surprise? I had no idea she had an interest in Early (including Baroque) Music to the extent of directing her own ensemble.

I too was unaware of this. But it’s an enticing prospect.

[jayne lee wilson]

Benedetti released her "Baroque" album back in July, to pretty good reviews. A very enjoyable listen it is, if a pity (given the Geminiani, a personal favourite, is so well played) she couldn't have focussed more on less familiar composers....but she adapts her style very well leading a Baroque Orchestra on a Baroque violin....

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/baroque-nicola-benedetti/zpztmdpjh9oxb

[AuntDaisy]

Benedetti released her "Baroque" album back in July, to pretty good reviews. A very enjoyable listen it is, if a pity (given the Geminiani, a personal favourite, is so well played) she couldn't have focussed more on less familiar composers....but she adapts her style very well leading a Baroque Orchestra on a Baroque violin....

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/ba.../zpztmdpjh9oxb

I've not heard it. How would you compare NB's Baroque album to, say, Rachel Podger's "Perla Barocca" or "Grandissima Gravita"?

Listening to ‘La Folia’ live - a beautiful piece. (Corelli's La Folia always reminds me of the Monk & the Fish animation.)

[jayne lee wilson]

I've not heard it. How would you compare NB's Baroque album to, say, Rachel Podger's "Perla Barocca" or "Grandissima Gravita"?

Listening to ‘La Folia’ live - a beautiful piece. (Corelli's La Folia always reminds me of the Monk & the Fish animation.)

Very different, largely chamber, repertoire on those Podger albums - and as you say more adventurous.
But from Benedetti's sole Baroque album to date, if you compare her style to Podger in similar Vivaldi Concertos, it is more energetic and muscular, though this is partly due to the sound - the Decca is more upfront compared to Channel Classics.

The current R3 concert is more delicate and distanced than the album sound, which is very exciting, quite up-and-at-you!

If you just can't get enough of La Folia, try this -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Folia-Enrico-Gatti/dp/B07SQTM2JM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=La+Folia&qid=1631818588&sr=8-1

That's right : 19 Variation-based works on the same tune/rhythm on two gorgeously artworked CDs, including the Geminiani.
Recordings drawn from 4 decades featuring some of the most distinguished Baroque Specialists from Kuijken to the present, a mini-history of the Performance Tradition.
A wonderful double-album which hasn't palled on many hearings...

***
Benedetti is playing beautifully tonight, isn't she? Really taking the band with her, driving them on...
After a tearful, heartfelt speech..... "while my violin gently weeps...".....etc.....

Sound balance very good considering the venue.....

https://www.euansguide.com/venues/pop-up---edinburgh-academy-junior-school---international-festival-stage-edinburgh-12412/gallery

[AuntDaisy]

Very different, largely chamber, repertoire on those Podger albums - and as you say more adventurous.
But from Benedetti's sole Baroque album to date, if you compare her style to Podger in similar Vivaldi Concertos, it is more energetic and muscular, though this is partly due to the sound - the Decca is more upfront compared to Channel Classics.

The current R3 concert is more delicate and distanced than the album sound, which is very exciting, quite up-and-at-you!

***
Benedetti is playing beautifully tonight, isn't she? Really taking the band with her, driving them on...
After a tearful, heartfelt speech..... "while my violin gently weeps...".....etc.....

Sound balance very good considering the venue.....
https://www.euansguide.com/venues/po...-12412/gallery

The venue photos came as a shock!!! From the parts I heard, I wouldn't have guessed.
I don't have any Benedetti CDs and was wondering about testing the water with "Baroque" - so thanks for the review. (I'm slowly collecting RP - who is often in the CD changer, particularly the Bach solos.)

If you just can't get enough of La Folia, try this -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Folia-Enrico-Gatti/dp/B07SQTM2JM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=La+Folia&qid=1631818588&sr=8-1

That's right : 19 Variation-based works on the same tune/rhythm on two gorgeously artworked CDs, including the Geminiani.
Recordings drawn from 4 decades featuring some of the most distinguished Baroque Specialists from Kuijken to the present, a mini-history of the Performance Tradition.
A wonderful double-album which hasn't palled on many hearings...

Thanks for the La Folia recommendation - it's now on the CD list. (I'm giving it a go via the Naxos Music Library, courtesy of our local library.)

[oddoneout]

I saw the Proms concert last year(September BBC4) when she stood in for Alina Ibragimova with the OAE playing Vivaldi among others and thought she was pretty convincing. She also seemed to be greatly enjoying it, which always adds to the overall performance. I agree with Jayne's use of "muscular" to describe her playing and it's one reason why I don't find her playing in more lyrical music entirely to my taste - a little bit too much in your face at times. However, on the basis of that proms concert, I did think that the Baroque seemed to suit her and wondered if she would be venturing more into that area, so pleased to see that she has. Her profile and following could be useful in perhaps getting the music to a wider audience than might otherwise be the case?