Christophe Coin continues his complete collection of the Vivaldi cello concertos. There are some pieces on this new album which show the cello to be more of an ensemble instrument than a solo one. Working from the premise that the cello’s vocal-like tone was Vivaldi’s favourite thing about the instrument, Christophe Coin’s rendition puts this voice at the forefront of this score.
Using a smaller, five-stringed cello which he plays upright on a small wooden table to increase its volume and resonance, as seen in some paintings, the cellist underlines how attentive Vivaldi was to vary his simple and repetitive lyricism using simple techniques that still manage to move both the artist and the audience: “A taught dissonance, a well-placed ornament, a well-chosen interval, just quick moments, he emphasises, bring excitement to the routine of our lives.” The Onda Armonica play in a rich continuo with three instruments used either simultaneously or alternately: the organ, the harpsichord and the theorbo, as well as a mandolin (an instrument Vivaldi also engaged with a lot) to liven up the Concerto in C major, RV 400. © François Hudry/Qobuz