La Serenissima "Vivaldi: L'Amore per Elvira" SACD

Linn Records is delighted to release Baroque ensemble La Serenissima's debut album. This superb recording features two world première recordings (of 'Graz' Sonatas 2 and 3), in addition to the title material.

 'A "splendid" recording.' Classic FM Magazine

 '...bright-toned, immaculately articulated vivacity...' BBC Music Magazine

'Superbly stylish...sails off into the stratosphere.' Evening Standard

 L'Amore per Elvira, written for the Mantuan court around 1716–20, consists of three cantatas. In Tremori al braccio, RV 799 the lover, (whose name we later learn to be Fileno) trembles at his inability to confess his love to Elvira, only overcoming his reticence in the finale (though not without reservations). In the second work Elvira, anima mia, RV 654, Fileno bears the sad tidings to Elvira that he must leave for a while and asks for one last kiss before he leaves. In the final work, Lungi dal vago volto, RV 680, the returning Fileno spies Elvira in the distance and he finally reaches her in the happy concluding aria.

The two 'Graz' sonatas, housed in the Diözesanarchiv in Graz, are presented here for the first time. Their bass parts, which were previously missing, have been carefully reconstructed by Adrian Chandler in order to make the recording possible.

The final work, the Sonata in C minor for violin and cello, RV 83, represents the only sonata of this type known to have been written by Vivaldi (he did write three concerti for this instrumental combination) and is notable for its three-movement concerto layout.

Tracklisting

1. Sonata No. 3 in D major for violin & continuo, RV 11 'Graz' – I. Largo
2. Sonata No. 3 in D major for violin & continuo, RV 11 'Graz' – II. Allegro
3. Sonata No. 3 in D major for violin & continuo, RV 11 'Graz' – III. Largo
4. Sonata No. 3 in D major for violin & continuo, RV 11 'Graz' – IV. Allegro
5. Tremori al braccio, RV 799 – No. 1 Recitativo: Tremori al braccio
6. Tremori al braccio, RV 799 – No. 2 Aria: Quando chiami dolce, e cara
7. Tremori al braccio, RV 799 – No. 3 Recitativo: Ah nò, mia cara Elvira
8. Tremori al braccio, RV 799 – No. 4 Aria: Quello che senti, ò bella
9. Sonata in C minor for violin, cello & continuo, RV 83 – I. Allegro
10. Sonata in C minor for violin, cello & continuo, RV 83 – II. Largo
11. Sonata in C minor for violin, cello & continuo, RV 83 – III. Allegro
12. Elvira, anima mia, RV 654 – No. 1 Recitativo: Elvira, anima mia
13. Elvira, anima mia, RV 654 – No. 2 Aria: Partirò, ma vedrai quanto
14. Elvira, anima mia, RV 654 – No. 3 Recitativo: Passo al rogo fatal
15. Elvira, anima mia, RV 654 – No. 4 Aria: Pupille vaghe
16. Sonata in B minor for violin & continuo, RV 37 'Graz' – I. Largo
17. Sonata in B minor for violin & continuo, RV 37 'Graz' – II. Allegro
18. Sonata in B minor for violin & continuo, RV 37 'Graz' – III. Largo
19. Sonata in B minor for violin & continuo, RV 37 'Graz' – IV. Allegro
20. Lungi dal vago volto, RV 680 – No. 1 Recitative: Lungi dal vago volto
21. Lungi dal vago volto, RV 680 – No. 2 Aria: Augelletti, voi col canto
22. Lungi dal vago volto, RV 680 – No. 3 Recitative: Allegrezza, mio core
23. Lungi dal vago volto, RV 680 – No. 4 Aria: Mi stringerai sì