I Musici's Strings Will Sing Elegant Classics
For one of the most famous and enduring ensembles in classical music, the name is deceptively simple - I Musici, meaning "The Musicians."
The 12-piece chamber orchestra, formed in 1952, is noted for two things: bringing Vivaldi, Corelli and the masters of the Italian Baroque to the attention of classical music, and the clarity, precision and elegance of its musicianship. The noted critic of The New York Times, Robert Sherman, has described its music as filled with "verve, stylistic purity and impeccable artistry."
I Musici will perform Monday at Florida Southern College in Lakeland as part of the college's Festival of Fine Arts. While on tour in the United States, it is performing under the longer name I Musici di Roma, sometimes employed to associate it with its home city of Rome.
The ensemble consists of six violins, two violas, two cellos, double bass and harpsichord. When performing music that calls for a soloist, I Musici's usual practice is for one of the orchestra to take the part. It was one of the first modern chamber orchestras to organize itself and play without a conductor, says Larry Burke, executive director of the Festival of Fine Arts.
"One of their goals was to be more egalitarian about how they chose their music and who would be a soloist," he says.
The audience at Monday's performance will be treated to one of I Musici's specialties. On the program is the "Winter" concerto from Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons." The violin soloist will be Antonio Salvatore.
Although "The Four Seasons" has become something of a musical cliche, I Musici deserves some credit for popularizing it. The ensemble has recorded "The Four Seasons" on six occasions, and an earlier recording was reissued this summer.
"They tried to really revitalize the string repertoire, particularly composers of the 17th century. When they first formed, that was their goal. Now, they play everything," Burke says.
The first half of Monday's concert should satisfy even fervent fans of Italian Baroque music. In addition to the "Four Seasons" concerto, the program will include Arcangelo Corelli's Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 4, and Vivaldi's Concerto for Recorder in F major. Silvio DiRocco, who normally plays viola in the ensemble, has the unusual second specialty of the recorder and will be the soloist in the Vivaldi concerto.
The second half of the program will consist of several short, dance-themed works from various periods and countries, including: the Rondo movement from "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" by Mozart; a minuet by Boccherini; the waltz from Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings; "Libertango" by Astor Piazzolla; and "Czardas," a Hungarian dance, by Vittorio Monti.
Cary McMullen can be reached at cary.mcmullen@theledger.com or 863-802-7509.
WHAT: I Musici di Roma chamber orchestra. PROGRAM: Vivaldi, "Winter" from "The Four Seasons"; Corelli, Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 4; Vivaldi, Recorder Concerto in F major; dances by Mozart, Boccherini, Tchaikovsky, Piazzolla and others. WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Monday. WHERE: Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College, Lakeland. TICKETS: $25 single admission. PHONE: 680-4218.