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Vivaldi x2²
A follow up to our 2018 album Vivaldi x2, this release features even more Vivaldi concertos for pairs of instruments, plus the Concerto Il Proteo ò il Mondo al Roverscio for violin, cello, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, harpsichord, strings & continuo in F, RV 572.
These are some of Vivaldi’s most colourful and joyful works, and with director Adrian Chandler at the helm listeners can look forward to further baroque excellence from our dynamic ensemble.
Out 2nd August 2024 – stream the first single or pre-order now.
Diavolo
The latest instalment from baroque ensemble La Serenissima. Often compared to Vivaldi, Giuseppe Tartini was a famous virtuoso violinist and highly respected teacher, and is best known for the sonata “Il Trillo del Diavolo” (The Devi’s Trill) which is legendary for both its story and for its fiendish level of technical wizardry.
If streaming’s your thing – listen to it here.
Brescianello Unlocked
This album features the second half of Brescianello’s Opus 1; works 1 – 6 were released as Behind Closed Doors in 2022.
La Serenissima passionately believe that Brescianello is a composer who deserves greater recognition with the result that many of his works have been included in releases dating from 2019, our first release on Signum.
Solo concertos for violin alternate with Sinphonias for strings and continuo; both forms illustrate Brescianello’s talent for fusing virtuosity with the sweetest of melodies. Also included on the album is an orchestral suite in A major that finishes with a rousing Giga.
An Englishman Abroad
An Englishman Abroad, the latest release from La Serenissima, celebrates the life and work of Nicola Matteis the Younger. Born in London to an Italian father and English mother, Matteis was immersed in the style of Henry Purcell. In 1700 he left England for the Imperial Court in Vienna. All of the music on the album is – rather fortuitously – Carolean; either written for Charles II of England, or for (or in the realm of) Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.
The majority of La Serenissima’s work, such as Forza Azzurri!, focuses on Antonio Vivaldi and his Italian contemporaries. However, An Englishman Abroad has an obviously English theme focussing on works by Nicola Matteis, as well as those which would have influenced or been influenced by him.
It is all too easy to think that the English style and English musicians were unknown on the continent in the early C18. However, this selection of music shows that this wasn’t (always) the case. There are some cracking dances and dance suites featured here as well as a ravishingly beautiful Vivaldi concerto and two superb Chaconnes, one by an Englishman, and one by an Italian.
An Englishman Abroad comprises works from Nicola Matteis the Younger, Henry Purcell, Telemann, Antonio Caldera, Vivaldi and Brescianello.
Forza Azzurri!
Following on from their first complete album of Brescianello, Behind Closed Doors, La Serenissima present a world premiere recording of his Overture-Suite for strings & continuo in D alongside Italian Baroque masters with their new album Forza Azzurri! They are joined by recorder player Tabea Debus for two recorder concertos (Sammartini and Vivaldi) and showcase lesser-known, but equally worthy, composers Zavateri and Dall’Abaco. A feast of lesser-known Italian Baroque instrumental music, Forza Azzurri! is possibly their most bangin’ recording yet!
This album was generously supported by Continuo Foundation and the Arts Council England Culture Recovery Fund. Recorded in Cedars Hall, Wells Cathedral School, Somerset UK from 2nd to 4th June 2021 & 14th & 16th February 2022
Vivaldi’s Women
Vivaldi’s Women is a collection of sacred vocal and instrumental works by Italian baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi. Vivaldi spent time working at the Ospedale della Pietà a Venetian institute which cared for unwanted children. During this time he composed this set works for women who were performers from the Pietà and part of a group of women known as the figlie di caro. Contrary to popular belief, these women were not children. They sang, played and taught the violin, violin in tromba marina, viola, viola d’amore and a large array of other baroque instruments. In this collection of music La Serenissima have joined with talented singers Claire Booth, Renata Pokupić and Jess Dandy to bring Antonio Vivaldi’s to life.
Vivaldi’s Women was recorded on the 25th to 28th October 2021, at Cedars Hall, Wells Cathedral School, Somerset. It was made possible by a grant from Mr & Mrs J A Pye’s Charitable Settlement. La Serenissima wish to dedicate Vivaldi’s Women to the memory of Yvonne Pye (d. 2021) who did so much to champion its work.
Other Vivaldi collections of works from La Serenissima include The Four Seasons and Vivaldi x2.
Behind Closed Doors
Brescianello Vol 1. Opus 1: Libro Primo, Ouverture Suite in B Flat
Out now, this album created employment for our artists during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Concerto No. 1 for Violin, Strings & Continuo in F Major, Op1
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Adrian Chandler
Sinphonia No.1 for Strings & Continuo in D Major, Op1
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Concerto No.2 for Violin, Strings & Continuo in A Minor, Op1
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Adrian Chandler
Sinphonia No.2 for Strings & Continuo in G Major, Op1
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Concerto No.3 for Violin, Strings & Continuo in B-Flat Major, Op1
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Sinfonia No. 3 for Strings & Continuo in C Major, Op1
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Adrian Chandler
Ouverture Sinfonia in B-Flat Major
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Settecento
Sonata for Recorder, 2 Violins & Continuo in C Minor
Alessandro SCARLATTI
Tabea Debus, Adrian Chandler
Sonata for Violin & Continuo in G Minor, Op 4, No. 11.
Evaristo Felice DALL’ABACO
Adrian Chandler
Sonata for Cello 7 Continuo in A Minor
Antonio VANDINI
Vladimir Waltham
Sonata for Recorder, 2 Violins & Continuo in G Minor
Francesco MANCINI
Tabea Debus, Adrian Chandler
Sonata for 2 Violins & Continuo in B Minor
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Adrian Chandler
Sonata for Violin & Continuo in E Minor, Op 1 No.5 B.E6
Giuseppe TARTINI
Adrian Chandler
Concerto for Recorder, 2 Violins & Continuo in A Minor, RV 108
Antonio VIVALDI
Tabea Debus, Adrian Chandler
La Serenissima celebrate ‘Settecento’ – the style of art, music and architecture that emerged in Italy in the early 18th century – with a collection of upbeat instrumental baroque music.
The recording sessions, which took place in February 2020, were made possible through the generous support of all La Serenissima’s Friends, Patrons and Chair Sponsors.
Hop on your scooter: Settecento was released 12 February 2021!
Extra Time
This album began life during recording sessions for our 2015 album Vivaldi The Four Seasons. Always keen to use every minute of recording time available, La Serenissima delivered a performance of Vivaldi’s S. Lorenzo concerto in a record 25 minutes – sparking the idea for a new collection of recordings, made over four years during ‘extra time’. The cover shows featured composers adorning shirts from Everton Football Club – Adrian Chandler’s ‘home’ team.
‘Full of spiritual energy…’ Diapason May 2020
‘The music-making is top-drawer and joyous’ Gramophone October 2020
Sinfonia to La Statira for 2 Trumpets, 2 Oboes, Strings & Continuo
Tomaso ALBINONI
Concerto per La Solennità di S. Lorenzo for Violin, Strings & Continuo in F Major, RV 286
Antonio VIVALDI
Adrian Chandler
Concerto for Violin, Strings & Continuo in G Major, Bre 9
Giuseppe Antonio BRESCIANELLO
Adrian Chandler
Balletto di Cavalieri Romani, Spagnuoli, e Africani from Act III of Scipione nelle Spagne (Antonio Caldara) for 4 Trumpets, Timpani, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Strings and Continuo in C Major
Nicola Matteis the Younger
Concerto per Sua Maestà Cattolica Cesarea for Violin, Strings & Continuo in C Major, RV 171
Antonio VIVALDI
Adrian Chandler
Concerto for Violin, Strings & Continuo in B-Flat Major
Antonio VIVALDI
Adrian Chandler
Ballo from Act III of Cajo Marzio Coriolano fo 4 Trumpets, Timpani, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Strings & Continuo in C Major
Nicola Matteis the Younger
Release date: 31 July 2020
The Godfather
Concerto for 3 Trumpets, Timpani, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Strings & Continuo in D. TWV54
Georg Philipp TELEMANN
Rachel Chaplin, Mark Baigent, Oboes
Peter Whelan, Bassoon
Simon Munday, Trumpet
Concerto Movement for Violin, Strings & Continuo in A
Johann Georg PISENDEL
Adrian Chandler
Concerto Movement for 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Strings & Continuo in E Flat
Johann Georg PISENDEL
Rachel Chaplin, Mark Baigent, Oboes
Peter Whelan, Bassoon
Concerto Movement for Violin, 3 Trumpets, Timpani, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, Strings & Continuo in D
Johann Sebastian BACH
Rachel Chaplin, Mark Baigent, Oboes
Peter Whelan, Bassoon
Simon Munday, Trumpet
Concerto for Violin, Bassoon, Strings & Continuo in B-Flat
Giuseppe BRESCIANELLO
Peter Whelan, Bassoon
Concerto Movement for Violin & Strings in B-Flat, RV 745
Antonio VIVALDI
Adrian Chandler
Concerto for Strings & Continuo in A, RV 158
Antonio VIVALDI
Concerto for Violin, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, 3 Trumpets, Timpani, Strings & Continuo in D FaWV LD3
Johann Friedrich FASCH
Rachel Chaplin, Mark Baigent, Oboes
Peter Whelan, Bassoon
Simon Munday, Trumpet
Released: 2019