Catalogue

Summary:

“Sorrell and her dazzling period band from Cleveland … The musical results are revelatory … as fascinating as her soloist Fullana’s virtuosic playing … essential listening … spring-cleaned colours, like the restoration of an old master” – The Sunday Times – No. 3: Top 10 Classical Albums of the Year

Grammy Award-winning baroque orchestra Apollo’s Fire and its founder-director Jeannette Sorrell have blazed trails in the world of historically informed performance with pioneering programming, presentational flair and an entrepreneurial spirit, qualities that have earned them eight Billboard chart-topping albums and more than 7 million views on YouTube. Their latest release, which launches the ensemble’s 30th anniversary season, is destined to soar to similar heights: the ensemble’s first recording of the perennial audience favourite, Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, featuring the phenomenal Spanish-born fiddler Francisco Fullana. Frequently performed at Apollo’s Fire home base in Cleveland, Ohio and on their international tours, “Sorrell’s vivid approach to the pictorial elements make these familiar works seem freshly minted, full of astonishing incident”, according to Seen & Heard International. Fullana, winner of the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant, has been dubbed a “rising star” by BBC Music Magazine, and an “amazing talent” by conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

The Four Seasons is the first of several releases spread throughout the season celebrating Apollo’s Fire’s milestone 30th anniversary.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR APOLLO’S FIRE, JEANNETTE SORRELL AND FRANCISCO FULLANA

“The lightning strike of genius can happen… Sorrell is a masterful musical storyteller.”
(Seen & Heard International)

“Fullana gave a continuous display of nuanced genius playing” (El Mundo)

“Fullana is a rising young virtuoso of outstanding potential” (The Violin Channel)

“Superlative music-making… Apollo’s Fire combines European stylishness and American can-do entrepreneurialism.” (The Daily Telegraph)

Tracklist:

ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)

The Four Seasons (Le Quattro Stagioni)
Soloist: Francisco Fullana, violin

La Primavera (Spring), Op. 8 No. 1
1. i. Allegro (3:37)
2. ii. Largo (2:45)
3. iii. Allegro (4:29)

L’estate (Summer), Op. 8 No. 2
4. i. Allegro non molto – Allegro (5:02)
5. ii. Adagio e piano (2:21)
6. iii. Presto: Tempo impetuoso d’estate (2:52)

L’autunno (Autumn), Op. 8 No. 3
7. i. Allegro (5:11)
8. ii. Adagio molto (2:45)
9. iii. Allegro (3:20)

L’inverno (Winter), Op. 8 No. 4
10. i. Allegro non molto (3:34)
11. ii. Largo (2:15)
12. iii. Allegro (3:20)

Antonio Vivaldi/arr. Jeanette Sorrell: “La Folia” (Madness)
Soloists: Francisco Fullana & Alan Choo, violin
13. Concerto Grosso (10:45)

Francisco Fullana, Alan Choo, violins
Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra
Jeannette Sorrell, director

Recorded April 15-17, 2021, Avon Lake United Church of Christ
Recording Producer & Editor: Erica Brenner Recording, Mixing, & Mastering Engineer: Daniel Shores
Cover photo: Adrian Mendoza | Recording Session Photography: Ken Wendt | Booklet design: Kein Zweifel
Francisco Fullana performs on the 1735 “Mary Portman” ex-Kreisler Guarneri del Gesù violin, with gut strings and baroque bow.
The violin is on loan from Clement and Karen Arrison through the Stradivari Society of Chicago.