ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741): Concertos for Violin in tromba marina, Strings and Continuo in D, RV 221 and in G, RV 311 (World Premiere Recordings), The Four Seasons, RV 269, 315, 293 and 297, Concertos for Bassoon, Strings and Continuo in B Flat, RV 501 “La Notte”, and in G Minor, RV 496 “per Maestro dè Morzin”.

Description: First recordings of two concertos for a little-known instrument, written for only by Vivaldi (in four concertos and a Nisi Dominus) and Porpora (a Laudate pueri from 1742 when he was in Vivaldi’s position at the Ospedale della Pietà): the violin in tromba marina has three strings (probably wire, wound in brass) and a very high bridge. It was designed for use by nuns for whom trumpet-playing was deemed unseemly. Peter Whelan (bassoon), La Serenissima; Adrian Chandler (violins).