Les Ambassadeurs~La Grande Ecurie
Alexis Kossenko | flute and direction
A celebratory evening of Vivaldi with the flute of Alexis Kossenko.
Vivaldi Concerto RV 576 « Per la sua altezza reale di Sassonia » for principal violon, two recorders, three oboes, bassoon, contrabassoon and orchestra
Concerto RV 585 « In due cori » for four solo violins, four recorders, two organs, two orchestras
Concerto RV 571 for principal violin, two horns, two oboes, cello, bassoon and orchestra
Concerto RV 556 for two solo violins, two recorders, two oboes, two clarinets, bassoon and orchestra
Concerto RV 566 « Per l’orchestra di Dresda » for two solo violins, two recorders, two oboes, bassoon and orchestra
Concerto RV 555 for three solo violins, two recorders, two trumpets, two chanters, two cellos, two harpsichords and orchestra
Although he did not invent the concerto form (which is attributed to Torelli and Albinoni), Vivaldi consolidated the style and most of the composition criteria which hardly changed until Beethoven introduced his revolutionary approach. Vivaldi’s concert repertoire comprises almost 500 pieces, most of which are for the violin or for formations made up predominantly of violins. The majority are enchanting works with lush harmonic formulas of very high lyrical quality – another aspect in which the Red Priest was a master in his own lifetime. Alexis Kossenko is intimately acquainted with this huge catalogue and has studied the manuscripts in depth, notably those preserved in Dresden, a city which in Vivaldi’s day had one of the best ensembles in Europe in terms of the diversity of instruments.