Tartini: Violin Concertos - Wallfisch, Ragland BP, Kraemer

Giuseppe Tartini
Violin Concertos
Wallfisch, The Raglan Baroque Players, Kraemer
Hyperion CDA 67345

Two of Elizabeth Wallfisch's very first offerings for Hyperion were recitals of Giuseppe Tartini's violin sonatas, both recorded in 1991. Here, 12 years on, Wallfisch returns to Tartini, this time devoting her attention to four of the composer's lesser-known though equally prodigious Op. 1 violin concertos, in addition to an unidentified concerto in C major. Comparisons with L' Arte Dell' Arco's outstanding first recording of Tartini's complete Op. 1 (Dynamic) are revealing.

Though Wallfisch does not list her source for the opening Op. 1 No. 12 concerto, Giovanni Guglielmo (L' Arte Dell' Arco's director and first violinist) does--it's from the first edition of Op. 1, published between 1728-34. Tempo indications differ, as does the timing (the L' Arte Dell' Arco performance is longer by half); but more importantly, Wallfisch's score often abbreviates the youthful Tartini's ideas to the point of unrecognizability. However, what's even more distinctive are the stylistic differences between the two accounts. While thoroughly accomplished, Wallfisch's treatment sounds relatively mild mannered and even reticent compared to L' Arte Dell' Arco's more brazen, sharply delineated, devil-may-care, vital rendering. Guglielmo and colleagues sound as if they're more on a mission to bring Tartini's treasures to the fore, warts and all, rather than just offering another pleasant recital.

Listeners simply in need of a well-recorded sampling of Tartini's Op. 1 will find little fault with Wallfisch's reading. Others who want to hear the real deal should waste no time acquiring L' Arte Dell' Arco's stunning, comprehensive traversal. And hurry--they're already up to volume 10 (type Q6438 in Search Reviews)!

John Greene, ClassicsToday.com