Canter Bridge

For this reviewer’s ears, there is no more consistently joyful music than that of Antonio Vivaldi, the Venetian Baroque master. I find him particularly born to compose for the cello.

So, apparently, do the folks at Naxos, for this is no less than volume 4 of a project intended to cover all the Vivaldi cello concerti. Naxos is really on with this series, highlighted by Raphael Wallfisch’s cello and the ever appropriate Baroque interpretation of Nicholas Kraemer (from the harpsichord, presumably, rather than with baton from the podium) and the City of London Sinfonia.

A pleasant and predictable brevity characterizes these works. Vivaldi generally created a three-movement symmetry by tossing an adagio or largo movement between two allegros. The Sinfonia goes at it with apparently effortless ease. Though there is artistry and technique to be plumbed here, this CD can also be approached as ear candy.

How sweet it is.