Albinoni - 12 Concertos, op. 9 / Manze, de Bruine, AAM, Hogwood
Albinoni was, along with Vivaldi, the most famous composer of baroque concertos in the "new" three-movement form, with two fast movements enclosing a slower middle. Strangely enough, the Op. 9 concertos--the pinnacle of Albinoni's output in this medium--have never been issued complete on period instruments, so this release is certainly welcome on those grounds alone. More to the point, the performances themselves are spectacular. Composed for various solo combinations involving violin (the incomparable Andrew Manze) and two oboes (Frank de Bruine and Alfredo Bernardini), these 12 works offer an almost operatic abundance of good tunes, brilliantly played. Take, for example, the sensuous slow movement of Concerto No. 2 in D Minor. Baroque composers are almost always at their best in minor keys, but this piece (actually a major-key contrast to the outer movements), really ought to be as popular as Pachelbel's Kanon or even Albinoni's famous Adagio. It's gorgeous, sophisticated music of the highest quality, and utterly characteristic of the delights that await listeners to this marvelous set. In short, a baroque dream!--David Hurwitz