Description

The organ is unlikely to be the first instrument one associates with Antonio Vivaldi. Yet, the Red Priest composed remarkable works for this instrument, drawn to its vast tonal variety and the evolving technical possibilities of his era.

The construction of Venetian organs in the 18th century showcased exquisite local craftsmanship. This ranged from selecting Dolomite woods for windchests, keyboards, and wooden pipes, to forging iron for mechanical transmissions, casting tin and lead for metal pipes, and tanning leather for bellows. The Eighteenth-century Venetian organ contains a colourful palette of sonorities, marking it as a unique model in the history of keyboard instruments.

Yet, perhaps for practical reasons, modern times have often preferred the use of “box organs” or other historically inappropriate instruments that would have been unfamiliar to the ears of the Red Priest.

The purpose of this recording is thus to present these pieces using two original 18th-century Venetian instruments, and it aims to present a novel and unexpected timbral palette alongside innovative interpretative ideas born from the use of two extraordinary instruments. Vivid and richly coloured sonic images arise, evoking the brilliance of great Venetian masters such as Piazzetta, Tiepolo, Canaletto, Guardi, Ricci, Carlevarijs, Diziani, and Marieschi.

Tracks

• 1 - 3 Concerto for oboe, violin, organ, strings and continuo in C major, RV 554

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• 4 - 6 Concerto for violin, organ, strings and continuo in D minor, RV 541

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• 7 - 9 Concerto for violin, organ, strings and continuo in F major, RV 767

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• 10 - 13 Sonata for violin, oboe, organ and chalumeau ad libitum, RV 779

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• 14 Aria “Noli, o cara, te adorantis” from Juditha Triumphans, RV 644

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• 15 - 17 Concerto for violin, organ, strings and continuo in C minor, RV 766

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• 18 - 20 Concerto for violin, organ, strings and continuo in F major, RV 542

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Booklet

The inside booklet contains:

• Vivaldi and the Organ - A happy encounter by Michael Talbot
• The rediscovered sound - New nuances in the music of the Red Priest by Giulio De Nardo
• Detailed organs’ specifications

All texts are translated in English, German and Italian.

Artists

Giulio De Nardo, organ & musical direction

Claudio Rado, violin

Priska Comploi, oboe

Francesca Ascioti, Contralto

Sestier Armonico

Recorded in Lonigo (Villa San Fermo), Italy - October 2023 & in Polcenigo (Chiesa di San Giacomo Apostolo), Italy - June 2024.
Recording, editing and mastering: Paolo Carrer, Infinity Studio - Treviso.
℗ © 2025 inAures KLG – Basel – Switzerland.