Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Vivaldi in the North
Höör Barock
rec. 2024, Borlunda church, Eslöv, Sweden
Proprius PRCD2102 {59]

Recently, I reviewed an excellent recording on the Proprius label featuring recorder virtuoso Emilie Roos and lute/early plucked instrument specialist, Dohyo Sol; their programme comprised works by eminent Baroque composers.

Should any additional recording on this label featuring these two musicians be available, one could confidently acquire it with high expectations of another rewarding musical experience. The present CD is exactly that, but with the addition of seven more musicians to complete the complement of Höör Barock. The name of this Swedish ensemble, a small Baroque orchestra, is a pun on the name of the village Höör, and the meaning of the Swedish word to ‘hear’. The ensemble won a Swedish Grammy in 2020 along with recorder player Don Lauren. This is their fourth recording.

The programme comprises eight works, ensemble and solo concerti of varying moods and character. Soloists are Dohyo Sol (plucked instruments), Hannah Tibell (Baroque violin) and Emilie Roos (recorder). It is appropriate especially to reference two of the programme items. The flute concerto Il Gran Mogol was discovered only fifteen years ago; it is here recorded for the first time with recorder instead of transverse flute. The Sinfonia in B minor and the Violin concerto in D major have a special Swedish/Scandian connection: the early surviving manuscripts are preserved in the Lund University library. Vivaldi’s music was presented in the Nordic countries in the Baroque era, and continues to be today.

The combination of beautiful vibrant music, stunning playing, and thoughtful interpretation by Höör Barock, and the soloists, augurs well for a highly entertaing musical experience. The superior sonics of the Proprius recording allows appreciation of every nuance of the music as presented by the ensemble. While one may conjecture that the programme was carefully selected to highlight the skills of this ensemble, and understandably to impress, doubtless the result would be the same no matter the choice of Baroque music. There are ample examples of excellent recordings by Baroque ensembles, but the unique combination of attributes exemplified by this particular one, make it outstanding, and an absolute winner.

Zane Turner

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Contents
Il Farnace RV 711-D
Flute Concerto in D minor RV 431a Il Gran Mogol
Violin Concerto in D major RV 230
Mandolin Concerto in C major RV 425
Recorder Concerto in C minor RV 441
Concerto for strings in G minor RV 156
Violin Concerto in G major RV 301
Sinfonia for strings in B minor RV 168