Violinist Giuliano Carmignola and the amazing Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca scored a kind of hole-in-one last season with an utterly fresh and lovable recording of Vivaldi's «the four seasons». As ACT II of their Vivaldi saga, they now offer six of the same composer's miscellaneous Violin Concertos - all with subtitles. Included as «il favorito», «l'inquietudine»,«il sospetto»,«l'amoroso»,«il piacere»,and «Originale». As a priest by profession - a teaching priest, as well as violin virtuoso - Vivaldi could not marry. So instead of children he produced an army of concertos. Most carry only formal names (Concerto in D major, or some such). But among the mass of his «kids», some of the special ones intended for virtuoso performances, names were attached. This survey thus represents some of Vivaldi's cream-of-the-crop list. Performances are as special as the music itself. Apart from sensational precision and infinite details, the expressive playing is a wonder. Carmignola and his Venetian musicians capture both the dignity and high spirits of their city in a way that radiates musicianship. They are setting a new standard for Vivaldi performance that is matchless. These are not your average musicians, but a group which draws on the finest scholarly knowledge, acquired in Basel and London besides their native Italy. One cannot point out a single top performance among these six. All are equal merit. The 20bit sonics Divox provides, made in connection with WDR (Radio Cologne) are also sensational, and the booklet excellent ... in Italian, German, English and French. Highest imaginable recommendation. --Intune Magazine