Virtuoso Recorder Concertos

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the recorder with Richard Harvey's "Virtuoso Recorder Concertos," a stunning collection that showcases the instrument's versatility and richness. Released in 1999 on the Altus label, this album features Richard Harvey, a renowned recorder player, along with the London Vivaldi Orchestra, conducted by Harvey himself. The album spans a duration of 1 hour and 19 minutes, offering a deep dive into the evolution of the solo concerto for the recorder.

The album presents a diverse range of compositions, including works by Antonio Vivaldi, Alessandro Scarlatti, Giuseppe Sammartini, and Jacques-Christophe Naudot. Each piece is performed with remarkable fluency and tone control, highlighting the recorder's unique timbre and expressive capabilities. The concertos demonstrate ingenious approaches to balancing the recorder's soft, non-dynamic tone with orchestral accompaniment, often using upper strings or continuo to support the solo instrument.

Highlights of the album include the virtuosic Recorder Concertos by Vivaldi, the elegant and stylish compositions by Sammartini and Naudot, and the concerto grosso style of Scarlatti. The album's tracklist features 26 songs, each offering a distinct musical experience that reflects the recorder's rich history and its role in the development of the concerto form.

Richard Harvey's direction and performance, coupled with the London Vivaldi Orchestra's exquisite playing, make "Virtuoso Recorder Concertos" a standout recording in the classical music repertoire. Whether you are a seasoned recorder enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this album offers a compelling journey through the instrument's musical possibilities.