Violin Concertos.

This article reviews two recent recordings of Antonio Vivaldi's violin concertos, highlighting their high quality and distinct repertoires. Giuliano Carmignola, with the Accademia dell'Annunciata conducted by Ricardo Doni, presents 18 concertos on a 3-CD set from Arcana, while Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante offer six concertos plus an alternate slow movement on a Naive release, all composed for Anna Maria della Pietà, a noted violinist and student at Venice's Ospedale della Pietà orphanage. Both violinists are praised for their virtuosity and interpretive imagination, supported by excellent orchestras and sound quality. The recordings feature violins crafted in 1733 by Peter Guarnerius (Carmignola) and Paolo Antonio Testore (Biondi), and neither release is considered superior, making both valuable for listeners interested in Vivaldi's extensive violin concerto repertoire.