Mullova makes new Vivaldi discoveries

Viktoria Mullova brings a natural-sounding freshness to Vivaldi's Violin Concertos with hitherto undiscovered colour and texture

Composer: Vivaldi
Repertoire: Violin Concertos
Artists: Viktoria Mullova; Il Giardino Armonico/Giovanni Antonini
Rating: 5/5 
Genre: Instrumental
Label: Naïve OP 30393

If Kennedy’s Vivaldi is characterised by adrenal outbursts of uncontainable energy and excitement, Mullova’s is all about making fresh discoveries regarding colour and texture. I was held spellbound by these performances simply because of the sound they make. As if to counter recent ‘authentic’ trends towards the eccentric and mannerist, Mullova plays with such disarming naturalness that you really can’t imagine the music being performed any other way.