The six works featured in Volume 2 of Naxos’ Vivaldi Bassoon Concertos reveal how the composer’s patented quick-slow-quick three-movement format (excepting the brief four-movement “La Notte”) serves as a springboard for creative inspiration and surprise. The infectious churning rhythms in the outer movements instantly identify Vivaldi, although his genius as a tunesmith truly comes to the fore in the central slow movements (try RV 486, or better still, RV 467’s poignant, aria-like shape). Bassoon soloist Tamás Benkócs makes light work of the music’s peppy runs and long cantabile phrases, and his clean, intelligent musicianship is matched by Béla Drahos’ firm podium direction. Some listeners may find the looser-knit, more robust string playing characterizing ASV’s Vivaldi Bassoon Concerto cycle more interesting, together with more elaborate ornamentation and decorative fills from the harpsichord continuo. On the other hand, the Naxos engineering places the soloist more squarely in the mix than ASV’s relatively distant miking of its excellent soloist Daniel Smith. In short, this is a fine Vivaldi disc and an ideal showcase for Tamás Benkócs’ impressive bassoon artistry.
