The French Connection 2 is “dazzling” and “a delight”

Following on from La Serenissima’s Classic FM/Gramophone Award-winning CD The French Connection, we are delighted to announce the release of its long-awaited sequel The French Connection 2. Serenissima and their Artistic Director Adrian Chandler continue to explore the myriad of influences of the French style on Vivaldi’s music.  The world premiere recording of the composer’s newly-discovered flute concerto Il Gran Mogol is the jewel in a selection of “baroque music at its finest”.

Stephen Pettitt praises the disc in The Sunday Times: “intriguing, excellently packaged and delivered….the playing is beautifully articulated, with first-class work from the soloists”.

Nicholas Anderson of BBC Music Magazine says that he “enjoyed the first volume [...] but this second one deserves almost unqualified praise. Chandler has put together a fascinating programme […]. Flautist Katy Bircher and Chandler[…] their warm-sounding, eloquently stylish playing is a constant delight.”, “Gail Hennessy’s rounded and mellifluous oboe playing beguilingly caresses the gentle contours of Vivaldi’s melodic line in a way that the older recordings, albeit on modern instruments, failed to do.”

Rick Jones of Classic FM Magazine awards TFC2 five stars: “Chandler’s tight control gives freedom not constriction….the ensemble is spotless even on the whipping string flourishes of Paris Concerto No. 2.  Every detail has meaning…. Chandler makes each (concerto) uniquely expressive”.

The Classical Review pays tribute to “La Serenissima’s sound, so joyful is it, so full of life, and yet never veering off into the merely silly or inconsequential”, mentioning that, ‘like La Serenissima’s other recent releases, this recording is a delight and continues to showcase this compelling composer in a dazzling manner”.

Classical Condor describes the disc as “an eye-opening, ear-flattering delight from start to finish”, and says that “it’s hard to choose favorite pieces because they’re all so well played. Chandler and La Serenissima play with such finesse, such precision, and yet such rollicking good fun, they make every work on the disc sparkle and come alive”, and concludes saying that “They play with animation, resilience, good sense, and passion. It’s a winning combination.”

For more information about this CD, or any of La Serenissima’s other releases, please visit Avie Records’ website or www.laserenissima.co.uk