“A winner! What a sparkle and drive! And that ‘encore’ being an arrangement by Jeanette Sorrell – the driving force behind Apollo’s Fire – of the famous theme ‘La Folia’ is just as sublime. The work ends this beautiful recording with a touch of madness that makes us smile with this joyful and frenzied interpretation. Alan Choo, the ensemble’s concertmaster, joins Francisco Fullana, a virtuoso with a bright future, in ‘La Folia’ to close this album. Apollo’s Fire, one of the best baroque orchestras in the U.S., is internationally recognized for its creative and innovative programming as well as for its dynamic and invigorating approach to early music. “A sparkling performance… describing the joys and sorrows of a time when people lived closer to nature – all with the flamboyance of harpsichordist Jeannette Sorrell and the talented performance of soloist Francisco Fullana. A skilled and passionate band and outstanding soloist…” ANTONIO Vivaldi is renowned as the composer of the violin concertos known as the Four Seasons, but he left at least 500 other concertos including some for less usual instruments such as mandolin and lute. This was first published on October 27, 2019. The group really lets their hair down in Sorrell’s arrangement of Vivaldi’s trio sonata “La Folia”… underlining the Spanish rhythms with zeal. Over the summer we are repeating some articles from the Classics on Sunday series.
The audible use of baroque harp in some of the movements is inspired the added glissandi in the final moments of Winter made the hair on my neck stand up. Apollo’s Fire is a tight ensemble, and like Fullana, play with infectious enthusiasm. Surprisingly poignant… Jeannette Sorrell and her merry band provide a wild accompaniment to Fullana’s musings. Wonderful energy… an energy that revives the sense of discovery, joy, and drama that can be lost in more humdrum outings of these pieces. Francisco Fullana plays with impeccable intonation and technical command, but also with a great deal of verve and imagination. “An outstanding rendition of Vivaldi’s evergreen concerti. Sorrell’s excellent liner notes… evocative descriptions, spiced with lovely historical detail.” Resplendent… they lace an icy path with spectacular downwards glissandos. “An abundance of plucked playfulness from harpsichord, Baroque harp, theorbo and guitar. What I enjoyed most of all in the affectionate and carefully thought out playing of soloist and ensemble is their relaxed phrasing and crisp articulation which generate unflagging interest.
“Francisco Fullana reveals its poetry with effortless refinement.
3 in the “10 Best Classical Albums of 2021”) – THE SUNDAY TIMES, London (Chosen as no. Sorrell’s booklet notes… are as fascinating as her soloist Fullana’s virtuosic playing, but it’s her orchestra’s incandescence - graphic in the “barking dog” movement of Spring, exhilarating in Summer’s cascading rainstorm - that makes this essential listening.” “Sorrell and her dazzling period band from Cleveland commit Vivaldi’s concertos to disc… and the musical results are revelatory. Government, Foundation & Corporate Support.