Francesco Guggiola, Ensemble dell'Orchestra Farnesiana - Vivaldi: Piccolo Concertos (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Concerto in C Major, RV 444: I. Allegro Molto
02. Concerto in C Major, RV 444: II. Largo
03. Concerto in C Major, RV 444: III. Allegro Molto
04. Concerto in A Minor, RV 445: I. Allegro
05. Concerto in A Minor, RV 445: II. Larghetto
06. Concerto in A Minor, RV 445: III. Allegro
07. Concerto in D Major, RV 428 Il Gardellino: I. Allegro
08. Concerto in D Major, RV 428 Il Gardellino: II. Cantabile
09. Concerto in D Major, RV 428 Il Gardellino: III. Allegro
10. Concerto in G Minor, RV 439 La Notte: I. Largo
11. Concerto in G Minor, RV 439 La Notte: II. Fantasmi Presto E Largo
12. Concerto in G Minor, RV 439 La Notte: III. Presto
13. Concerto in G Minor, RV 439 La Notte: IV. Il Sonno Largo
14. Concerto in G Minor, RV 439 La Notte: Vi. Allegro
15. Concerto in G Major, RV 435: I. Allegro
16. Concerto in G Major, RV 435: II. Largo
17. Concerto in G Major, RV 435: III. Allegro
18. Concerto in C Major, RV 443: I. Allegro
19. Concerto in C Major, RV 443: II. Largo
20. Concerto in C Major, RV 443: III. Allegro Molto

Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741), one of the most influential composers of the Baroque era. A Venetian priest and violinist, Vivaldi composed hundreds of concertos that pushed the boundaries of instrumental technique and showcased his inventive use of color and rhythm. Among his many works, the three Piccolo Concertos -RV443, RV444, and RV445- stand out as rare and remarkable contributions to the repertoire of this small but expressive instrument.
Written most likely in the late 1720s or early 1730s, these concertos were not originally scored for the modern piccolo but for the flautino, a high-pitched recorder or transverse flute. Today, they are most often performed on the piccolo, whose piercing timbre and agility make the works especially dazzling. Each concerto follows Vivaldi’s typical three-movement fast–slow–fast structure, but within this framework he explores both technical brilliance and lyrical expression.
RV443, perhaps the most famous of the three, opens with a lively Allegro that brims with virtuosic passagework, followed by a tender Largo in which the piccolo’s sweet tone contrasts with the orchestral accompaniment, and concludes with a spirited Allegro full of rhythmic drive. RV444 displays a more dramatic character, with bold orchestral writing and challenging solo lines that demand precision and breath control. RV445, meanwhile, is admired for its lyrical central movement and its sparkling finale, which showcases rapid scales and arpeggios that highlight the piccolo’s agility.
Francesco Guggiola plays Solo Piccolo at Teatro alla Scala and Filarmonica della Scala in Milano and is professor at Accademia della Scala.

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