Venice in Mexico
Mexico after the Spanish arrived saw a great deal of European art and culture being imported, including music from the great centres such as Venice. Not having harpsichords to hand, it became usual to use local instruments, vihuela and guitarron, for continuo. This policy is used here, and the sharp clear sound of the strings with the rhythmic base gives these works a new impetus and vitality. The Vivaldi pieces are fairly well known but the fine concertos by Facco were only discovered relatively recently.
Soloists: Miguel Lawrence (sopranino recorder); Manuel Zogbi (violin); Daniel Armas (psaltery)
Track Listing
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Giacomo Facco:
- Concerto in E minor, Pensieri Ardriarmonici, for violin and strings,Op. 1 No. 1 − I. Allegro (3:25)
- Concerto in E minor, Pensieri Ardriarmonici, for violin and strings,Op. 1 No. 1 − II. Adagio (2:27)
- Concerto in E minor, Pensieri Ardriarmonici, for violin and strings,Op. 1 No. 1 − III. Allegro (2:48)
- Concerto in A major, Pensieri Ardriarmonici, for violin and strings,Op. 1 No. 5 − I. Allegro (2:56)
- Concerto in A major, Pensieri Ardriarmonici, for violin and strings,Op. 1 No. 5 − II. Grave (3:03)
- Concerto in A major, Pensieri Ardriarmonici, for violin and strings,Op. 1 No. 5 − III. Allegro (2:08) Antonio Vivaldi:
- Concerto in D major, for strings, RV 121 − I. Allegro molto (2:14)
- Concerto in D major, for strings, RV 121 − II. Adagio (1:22)
- Concerto in D major, for strings, RV 121 − III. Allegro (1:46)
- Concerto in A minor, 'L'estro Armonico' for violin and strings, Op. 3 No. 6 − I. Allegro (2:36)
- Concerto in A minor, 'L'estro Armonico' for violin and strings, Op. 3 No. 6 − II. Largo (1:44)
- Concerto in A minor, 'L'estro Armonico' for violin and strings, Op. 3 No. 6 − III. Presto (2:11)
- Concerto in C minor for sopranino recorder and strings, RV 443 − I. Allegro (3:31)
- Concerto in C minor for sopranino recorder and strings, RV 443 − II. Largo (3:33)
- Concerto in C minor for sopranino recorder and strings, RV 443 − III. Allegro molto (2:52)
- Concerto in D minor for strings, RV 127 − I. Allegro (1:36)
- Concerto in D minor for strings, RV 127 − II. Largo (0:58)
- Concerto in D minor for strings, RV 127 − III Allegro (1:12)
- Concerto in C major for psaltery and strings, RV 425 − I. Allegro (3:06)
- Concerto in C major for psaltery and strings, RV 425 − II. Largo (2:52)
- Concerto in C major for psaltery and strings, RV 425 − III. Allegro (2:32)
- Concerto in A minor for sopranino recorder and strings, RV 445 − I. Allegro (4:17)
- Concerto in A minor for sopranino recorder and strings, RV 445 − II. Largo (2:01)
- Concerto in A minor for sopranino recorder and strings, RV 445 − III. Allegro (3:29)
Reviews
“The fine dozen players of the Mexican Baroque Orchestra, conducted by Miguel Lawrence, do lovely work on all eight of the concerti…. marvelously musical. The CD is elegantly packaged and impeccably engineered.
” —Rafael de Acha
“The ensemble blends and balances well, playing with a nice style and spirit. The finest playing here is in the two concertos for sopranino recorder. The color is varied and rich and the virtuoso playing delightful to hear.
” —C MOORE
“The two concerti by Facco are as attractive as many by Vivaldi and Corelli. Played with delicacy and fluency… delightful virtuosity. The soloists are excellent. Plenty to enjoy on this CD… a hint of how European music might have been interpreted in the New World in the 18th century.
” —Elizabeth Rees
“Based on these two concertos, Facco makes Vivaldi sound almost stale… so vigorous, so high-spirited and so infectious,,, the Mexican players and their performances on this disc are outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed this disc and recommend it.
” —Jerry Dubins
“Mexican Baroque Orchestra doesn’t need gimmicks. [They] carry the day with the verve and accuracy of their playing. The MBOs enthusiasm for the pieces on this CD translates into a combination of melodic interest and rhythmic drive that makes the CD enjoyable throughout. The star of this CD is Miguel Lawrence playing recorder. Lawrence turns the recorder into something magical, a unique voice that it would be shameful to replace with a flute or piccolo. In short, [this] is a release of which Divine Art should be proud.
” —Ed Barna
