Cello Concertos In C RV400 • C Minor RV401 • B Minor RV424 / Concerto In G Minor For Two Cellos RV531 / Concerto In C For Violin And Two Cellos RV561

Released by EMI in 1981, this recording highlights the cello concertos of Antonio Vivaldi, interpreted by the esteemed French cellist Paul Tortelier alongside his daughter, Maud Tortelier, and violinist Jacques-Francis Manzone. The album features the London Mozart Players under the direction of Philip Ledger, an ensemble noted for its commitment to the classical repertoire. The selection of these particular concertos showcases Vivaldi's ability to navigate the expressive range of the cello, moving from the virtuosic demands of the solo concertos to the complex interplay required in the works for multiple instruments.

The production is characteristic of EMI's 'ASD' series, which was highly regarded during the late 20th century for its high-fidelity engineering and the quality of its classical catalog. Paul Tortelier, a central figure in the mid-century cello tradition, brings a refined, lyrical sensibility to these baroque pieces. The recording was well-received by critics of the era for its technical clarity and the warm, communicative relationship between the soloists, capturing a moment in time where historically informed performance was beginning to engage more deeply with the romantic traditions of established soloists.