Listen to an excerpt of this program here
Founded in 1997 by Baroque scholar and harpsichordist Andrea Marcon, the Venice Baroque Orchestra is recognized as one of the premier ensembles devoted to period instrument performance. The Orchestra receives wide critical acclaim for its concert and opera performances throughout the world and has appeared in many more cities across the United States than any other Baroque orchestra in history. Touring this season across North America, Italy, Croatia, Germany and Mexico with mandolinistAviAvital, the ensemble is also featured on a new release from Deutsche Grammophon with Mr. Avital of works by Vivaldi.
Acknowledged by the New York Times for his "exquisitely sensitive playing" and "stunning agility", Grammy-nominated mandolinist Avi Avital is one of the world's most exciting and adventurous musicians. Deeply committed to building a fresh legacy for the mandolin through virtuosic performance in a range of genres and the commissioning of new works for the instrument, he also demonstrates his passion for the Italian Baroque and especially the brilliant works of Venetian composer Antonio Vivaldi and his contemporaries in this program.
Antonio Vivaldi’s brilliant string writing lies at its heart of the concert program, offered on Tuesday, March 3rd at Armstrong Auditorium by Mr. Avital and the Venice Baroque Orchestra, and features several of Vivaldi's sinfonias, concertos for lute, recorder and mandolin, "Summer" from The Four Seasons and also works by Benedetto Marcello and Giovanni Paisiello. And Mr. Avital offers fascinating insights about the VBO, the mandolin; past, present and future, Italy's regional cultures and music, and works featured on the program.
Performance Oklahoma is heard each Saturday evening at 8pm on Classical 88.7-1!