Gramophone Magazine
March 2022
Recording of the Month

Presto Editor's Choice
February 2022

Théotime Langlois de Swarte, Les Ombres

Vivaldi: Prelude in A Minor, based on Violin Concerto, RV. 355
Leclair, J-M: Concerto Op. 7 No. 5 in A minor
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in B minor, RV 384
Locatelli: L'Arte del Violino Op. 3, Concerto No. 8
Leclair, J-M: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 10 No. 3
Vivaldi: Prelude in C Major, based on Trio Sonata RV. 60
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in C Major, RV. 179a 'Per Anna Maria'

Théotime Langlois de Swarte continues his exploration of the violin repertory of the early eighteenth century. In this programme, he highlights the links between three leading composers for the instrument, whose popularity was burgeoning at the time: Vivaldi, father of the violin concerto, and two of his most brilliant younger contemporaries, Locatelli and Leclair. A disc which, beyond the interplay of echoes and personal connections, showcases the extraordinary versatility of an instrument as virtuosic as it is poetic.

"His playing is joyful; it is wild and beautiful, inventive and efficient...These are performances so special that I feel a changed man from listening to them. Buy it, tell all your friends." - Gramophone Magazine, March 2022.