There is absolutely nothing here to criticize. The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra is one of the premier ensembles of its type, and it performs this music on top form. Locatelli’s Op. 1 is nicely varied as to content, particularly in this selection. Only one concerto (No. 7) follows Vivaldi’s three-movement “Venetian” form; the remainder are modeled on Corelli’s concerti grossi and have four or five movements apiece. Locatelli’s “sarabandas” are particularly lovely, and they are enhanced by the characterfully varied treatment of the continuo throughout these performances. Concerto No. 8 is a “pastoral”, as in Corelli’s famous Christmas Concerto, while four of the six works featured here employ minor keys, which only heightens the music’s expressive intensity. In short, you won’t find a better-chosen, more appealing selection of high Baroque concertos anywhere, and the engineering is typically splendid. For fans of the period, this is self-recommending. [4/5/2007]
