“Stupendous brilliance, breathless virtuosity. Anne-Sophie Mutter’s Virtuosi thrilled at the Vienna Musikverein.” (Die Presse) In June 2023, star violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter gave an impressive concert in Vienna with her Virtuosi ensemble. Based on this, a varied album has now been created, with music by Antonio Vivaldi, J. S. Bach, Joseph Bologne, André Previn and John Williams. “Growing up, I’m on the trail of storytellers,” Mutter says of her work with the Virtuosi, a rotating ensemble of current and former Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation scholarship holders. Under Mutter’s professional and musical direction, the ensemble is tailor-made for baroque and classical music. This is now evident on this album with Vivaldi’s Concerto for Three Violins, RV 551, the Presto movement of “Summer” from the Four Seasons, J. S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, and the Violin Concerto by Mozart’s contemporary Joseph Bologne. But the repertoire also reflects Mother’s love of contemporary works: The Virtuosi perform André Previn’s Nonet dedicated to Anne-Sophie Mutter. The music of Hollywood legend John Williams can also be heard, and two works are arrangements from Cinderella Liberty and Schindler’s List, reworked especially for the Virtuosi. Mutter has just been awarded an OPUS KLASSIK as “Instrumentalist of the Year” for her latest album with Williams.
TRACK LISTING
Antonio Vivaldi:
Concerto for 3 Violins and Basso continuo in F Major, RV 551
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Andante
03. III. Allegro
Johann Sebastian Bach:
Concerto for Violin, Strings and Basso continuo No. 1 in A minor BWV 1041
04. I. [Allegro moderato]
05. II. Andante
06. III. Allegro assai
André Previn:
Nonet for two string quartets and double bass
To Anne-Sophie Mutter · Commissioned for Mutter’s Virtuosi
07. I. A Promenade
08. IIa. Tempo ad libitum
09. IIb. Interlude for Solo Violin and Double Bass. Moderat, tempo ad libitum
10. III. Presto
Johann Sebastian Bach:
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major BWV 1048
11. I. [Allegro]
12. II. Adagio
13. III. Allegro
Joseph Bologne:
Concerto for Violin and Strings in A Major, Op. 5/2
14. I. Allegro moderato
15. II. Largo
16. III. Rondeau
John Williams:
17. Nice to Be Around from Cinderella Liberty (Version for Solo Violin and String Ensemble)
Arr. for Mutter’s Virtuosi
Antonio Vivaldi:
Presto from Violin Concerto in G major “L’estate” (Summer) RV 315 from The Four Sesons
18. III. Presto
John Williams:
19. Theme from Schindler’s List (Version for Solo Violin and String Orchestra)
Arr. for Mutter’s Virtuosi
