This is a recording by the great Swiss flutist, Emmanuel Pahud and our own Australian Chamber Orchestra, led by Richard Tognetti, of the Six Concertos Op. 10 by Antonio Vivaldi. The concertos themselves are pillars of the flute repertoire, even though they were originally composed for recorder.
What can I say about this? It’s hands-down the best, most charismatic and consistently musically-compelling recording of these concertos around. Even Period musicians don’t play with this balance of good musicality and flat-out imagination.
I never tire of listening to this recording. I think there was real chemistry between Pahud and Tognetti – both very imaginative musicians. Intensely evocative playing of already naturalistic music. And they’re playing modern instruments with GREAT period-correct style.
Pahud’s playing on a technical level is otherworldly of course, but he is never just showboating. I honestly listen to his playing all the time and it makes me stop and think, and listen again. Totally informs my playing on a musical AND technical level that I don’t find with any other player. Not that there aren’t many other great players around, but Pahud is the complete package in ways I continually find illuminating.