Nice, well-performed, and all that but really if you've heard one set of concerti grossi from the 1st half of the 18th century then you've heard them all. I challenge anyone to distinguish this CD from the concerti grossi of Corelli, Geminiani, Locatelli, Vivaldi, Handel, or Heinechen. Nice pleasant music but it all sounds the same.
September 2, 2008I never heard of Manfredini until I got "Italian Baroque Favorites" by Cappell Istropolitana and Naxos, and from that sample I decided to get this CD. I was certainly not disappointed. The music jumps right out at you, it is so clear and crisp. Vivaldi, Handel, and Bach Concertos are not any better than Manfredini, lots of energy! Capella Istropolitana is number 1 for Baroque music.
November 26, 2007I really enjoy the Capella Istropolitana. They have such a wonderful and bright sound. I find the works on this CD to be well played and the tempo selection for each movement very good. I listen to Baroque on my daily commute to and from work. I have a particular affinity for Italian Baroque and Manfredini does not disappoint me. He has nice melodic Concerti Grossi. This is a very pleasant and uplifting CD.
June 8, 2007In the 1990s the Capella Istropolitana recorded for Naxos all, or nearly all,the concerti grossi of Corelli, Geminiani, Locatelli and Manfredini. The Corelli was pretty good, you used to hear it on classic music radio, the Geminiana and Locatelli recordings were less so, but all were good enough to interest me so that in later years I bought better recordings of all of them. This CD, the Manfredini, was the most successful of them. The recording is of the twelve concerti grossi of his opus 3, just about all of his surviving work. Each of the twelve is a little gem, tuneful, joyful music that sparkles like the morning sun on dew. The performance is unprentious, but precise and articulate, and the first and only ( ? )recording of this music. If my memory is correct the CD won a Rosette from Penguin. It is well worth 5 stars, and at Naxos's bargain price is a steal, please buy it, it may spur your interest in the wonderful world of Baroque music.
March 15, 2007 |  | Manfredini is 'da MAN! So Underrated his works are!!! |  |
WOW WOW WOW!
I love rhythmic baroque music. Such as Vivaldi's presto's and Telemann's Sinfonia Spritiuosa. But we've all heard of Viv and Tele, and Bach etc... Then I hapt across (thank to the internet) this dude named Francesco Onofrio MANFREDINI! This guy is awesome. The strings bounce and move with rhythmic strength and joy from end to end of this steller 18th century master.
I hope I'm not missing out on any other Baroque composer's at this level. After all I just hapt across the one, the only, the MAN! Manfredini and this groovin' Concerti Grossi, Op.3!!! Hmm now to search for opus 1,2,4,....
And did I mention it was $7 bucks! Absolutely hilarious they want $17.00 for the latest brittney spears CD and only $7 for this timeless masterwork of sonic beauty by Manfredini.
November 17, 2004More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(7 reviews)