Events

Giovanni Antonini, Artistic Direction

Avi Avital, Mandolin

Programme:

Georg Friedrich Händel: Concerto Grosso in G major, Op. 6, No. 1, HWV 319 

Emanuele Barbella: Concerto in D major for Mandolin, two Violins and Basso Continuo

Francesco Durante: Concerto No. 2 in G minor for Strings and Basso Continuo

Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto in D minor for Two Harpsichords and Strings, BWV 1060 (transcription for recorder, mandolin, strings and basso continuo)

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Antonio Vivaldi: Sonata Al Santo Sepolcro, RV 169

Antonio Vivaldi: Cum dederit, 4th movement of the motet Nisi Dominus for Voice, Strings and Basso Continuo, RV 608 (transcription for chalumeau and strings)

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Symphony in G major for Strings and Basso Continuo, Wq 182:1 / H 657

Giovanni Sollima: Concerto for Mandolin (ad Avi Avital)

 

We assume that Il Giardino Armonico would be the first association to baroque music for most music lovers today! Although this thesis has not been scientifically proven, of course, and is presented here in jest, for many Baroque and Pre-Classical music fans, this excellent Italian Baroque ensemble unquestionably embodies the best, most exciting and most virtuosic characteristics of that wonderful period in the history of European music! The ensemble was founded by the versatile and dedicated researcher, musicologist and excellent conductor Giovanni Antonini in 1985.For years, Il Giardino has been raising dust with its virtuosic, we daresay furious interpretations (let's just remember the collaboration with the phenomenal Cecilia Bartoli!) not only because of its sensational discoveries of beautiful Baroque music, forgotten and imprisoned in the darkness of the sheet music archives all over Italy and the world, but also with its brilliant, new visions and performances of iconic Baroque masterpieces! It sounds incredible that Il Giardino has received prestigious international record label awards for almost each of its albums (among others, the German Echo Klassik award or the French Diapason d'Or or Choc de l'anné). Another special feature and charm of this concert will be the appearance of Avi Avital, "the first mandolin player ever nominated for a Grammy Award". According to a New York Times critic, Avital's incredible virtuosity in playing the mandolin is comparable to the virtuosity of legendary musicians, guitarist Andrés Segovia or violinist Jascha Heifetz, and he is a unique, charismatic musician. Besides the enchanting music of the Italian Baroque masters Vivaldi, Durante and Barbella, whose musical oeuvres bring the atmosphere of the Mediterranean - a breath of the sea breeze from the Venice lagoon and the brightness of sunny Naples, the program also includes iconic pieces by the immortal Baroque masters Johann Sebastian and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Georg Friedrich Händel.