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Presto Recordings of the Year
Finalist 2023

Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante

Vivaldi: Concerto in D major, RV 229
Vivaldi: Concerto for Strings and Continuo in B-flat Major, RV 363 'O sia il Corneto da Posta'
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 11 No. 1, RV 207
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E flat major, RV 260
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in C Major, RV. 179a 'Per Anna Maria'
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E flat major, RV 261
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in C Major, RV 179a: II. Largo (with original ornementation from RV 581)

Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante expand the Vivaldi Edition with this eleventh volume of violin concertos; bearing the name of one of the most famous performers of the early eighteenth century; Anna Maria. A child prodigy and an exceptional performer from the Ospedale della Pietà where Vivaldi taught for forty years; Anne Maria was an accomplished violinist; but also skilled on the viola d’amore and theorbo; as well as the harpsichord; cello; lute and mandolin. Her reputation travelled throughout Europe; and we know that her repertoire included at least twenty-four concertos dedicated to her by Vivaldi.

"Biondi effortlessly surmounts the technical difficulties and stylistic challenges of each concerto. He also directs Europa Galante with characteristic vigour and aplomb" - BBC Music Magazine, December 2023.