Vivaldi, Tartini : Arrangements pour violon seul - Tortorelli

Description

The Four Seasons as you have never heard them, stripped down to their very essence, a true demonstration of the art of violin playing. These two Baroque masterpieces have always lent themselves to countless arrangements, for ensembles ranging from string quartets to wind ensembles. Mauro Tortorelli, however, has conceived a truly innovative concept: arranging them for solo violin. This involves not only performing the complex solo parts but also playing the accompaniment—string orchestra for Vivaldi, basso continuo for the "Devil's Trill"—using the instrument's four strings. Tortorelli's arrangement is justified from a melodic standpoint, emphasizing "the art of violin playing," which so greatly inspired composition for this instrument in 18th-century Italy. His vibrant and richly expressive interpretation creates a true musical spectacle. One could compare his playing to that of a high-level street musician who, taking familiar texts, infuses them with improvised fantasy. An emblematic figure of Italian music, Mauro Tortorelli has long been recognized as one of the most eminent teachers and performers of the genre. He currently teaches violin at the Gesualdo Conservatory in Potenza and also devotes himself to chamber music. His critically acclaimed discography is available on Brilliant Classics and includes albums dedicated to Saint-Saëns (94848), Milhaud (95449), Sevcik (96213), Scalero (96160), and Castelnuovo-Tedesco (96007).