Review of La Serenissima at St George's in Bristol
Posted on: 2014-11-23
Our rating:
La Serenissima is a superb ensemble championing the Red Priest's musical genius. Soloist Adrian Chandler was also affable and entertaining and the acoustics of the venue were ideal for the music's often plangent, sonic richness.
Vivaldi is perhaps the most towering musical figure of the Baroque era, and historical ensemble La Serenissima played a stunning selection of his concertos at St George's on Friday 21st November.
One of the UK's leading ensembles which specialises in the music of Vivaldi and his contemporaries, they marked their 20th anniversary this year - so what better way to celebrate that putting on a concert of the Red Priest's music?
Standing on the stage with their instruments poised (yep, there's no sitting down here), they waited for a nod from solo violinist and leader Adrian Chandler, then fired on all cyclinders with the Allegro of the Concerto for Strings and Continuo in D. Strident, fiery and full of impassioned, rhythmic drive, it was an attention-grabbing opening that segued into the sombre, melancholy Adagio and the final, ebullient closing Allegro.
The second concerto followed a similar alternating three part movement of fast-slow-fast, full-bodied and brisk in the sprightly sections, languorous and elegiac in the slow part.
The real pleasant surprise of the evening came with soprano Mhairi Lawson, who closed the first half and opened the second with two Motets. It was an effortless, perfect confluence of voice and ensemble, one never overpowering the other, and carrying through with alternating mellifluous grace and raw power. It was a beguiling, unexpected treat that tested the range and dynamics of the ensemble and soprano.
Two more concertos rounded off the programme, the Allegros punctuated by frisky, nimble chord progressions and unmistakably Vivaldian harmonics and arpeggios, and the Adagios by wistful, lugubrious musical yearnings.
La Serenissima is a superb ensemble championing the Red Priest's musical genius with confident, expert playing. Soloist Adrian Chandler was also affable and entertaining, introducing each piece with nuggets of historical, musical context, and the acoustics of the venue were ideal for the music's often plangent, sonic richness.
The only main criticism is that the concert could, in fact, have benefited from being a bit longer and they could have squeezed in another concerto or two. But for the quality of the flawless, vivacious and enchanting musicianship on display, that's a very small niggle.
Charming, infectious and musically impeccable.
4/5
Reviewed by Jamie Caddick for 365Bristol
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
