Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante expand the Vivaldi Edition with this eleventh volume of violin concertos; bearing the name of one of the most famous performers of the early eighteenth century; Anna Maria.

A child prodigy and an exceptional performer from the Ospedale della Pietà where Vivaldi taught for forty years; Anne Maria was an accomplished violinist; but also skilled on the viola d’amore and theorbo; as well as the harpsichord; cello; lute and mandolin.

Her reputation traveled throughout Europe; and we know that her repertoire included at least twenty-four concertos dedicated to her by Vivaldi.

Vivaldi: Concerti per violino XI “Per Anna Maria”
RV 179a, 207, 229, 260, 261, 363

The recording opens on Vivaldi: Concerto in D major, RV 229, and the striking Allegro, the aching yearn within Largo and culminates on the forthright Allegro and then we are brought forth Vivaldi: Concerto for Strings and Continuo in B-flat Major, RV 363 O sia il Corneto da Posta, which itself opens on the flair of Allegro, the daintiness of Adagio and concludes on the flourishing Allegro.

Along next is Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 11 No. 1, RV 207, which opens on the soaring Allegro, the ornate Largo and culminates with the free flowing Allegro and then we get Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E flat major, RV 260, which begins on the forthright Allegro, the pristine Adagio and ends on the darting Allego.

Then we are welcomed into Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in C Major, RV. 179a Per Anna Maria with the binding Allegro ma poco, the pronounced Largo, the work ending on the sweeping Allegro and then comes Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E flat major, RV 261, which opens on the jubilant Allegro, the low key Largo, and culminates with the joyous Allegro assai; the collection coming to a close on the alluringly beautiful Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in C Major, RV 179a: II. Largo (with original ornementation from RV 581).

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