V1 Sacred Music (Ltd Ed)

To mark its 20th birthday, Hyperion has had the bright idea of repackaging (and, in some cases, remastering) 20 of its most successful discs and offering them at midprice for a limited period. This Vivaldi CD originally was issued as the first in an ongoing series of choral music. Vivaldi's choral works? Yes, he by no means restricted himself to brilliantly virtuoso instrumental writing, and, when required, could turn his attention to more devout matters--to equally thrilling effect. Track 1, the opening of the Magnificat, knocks your socks off with its unique mix of crazy harmonies and ethereal melodic lines. King has assembled a group of singers and players who appreciate the real worth of this much-misunderstood figure. As well as the Magnificat itself (which is full of delightful surprises, not least of which is the divine soprano duet, "Esurientes," which is sung by Susan Gritton and Lisa Milne), there is the fervent and joyous Dixit Dominus and a profoundly moving Credo. The documentation lives up to the standards of the performances, including an excellent note by Vivaldi expert Michael Talbot. The music here belongs with the best of Vivaldi's output, and is more than capable of standing alongside his more popular concertos. --Harriet Smith