I have selected the group called The Vivaldi Project for this CD Spotlight. The Vivaldi Project is a classical string trio who perform on period instruments of an earlier era. Members of the group include violinist Elizabeth Field, violist/violinist Allison Nyquest and cellist Stephanie Vial.
The ensemble takes its name from baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi. They perform selections from the 18th century, spanning the end of the baroque into the classical era.
Violinist Elizabeth Field is the founder and director who also performs with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Cellist Stehanie Vial is co-director of the group and is part of the Educational Institute for Early Music. Violist/violinist Allison Nyquist is Artist Director of Nashville’s Music City Baroque Orchestra and holds the title of Baroque Violin Professor at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music.
WXXI Classical currently has four CD recordings of The Vivaldi Project from the MSR Classics label. The selections in their series of albums, "Discovering the Classical String Trio," include works by Maddalena Sirmen, F.J. Haydn, J.C. Bach, Luigi Boccherini and Joseph Schmitt.
There is music from some composers that may be new to you such as Paul Wranitzky and John Antes.
John Antes was an American composer from the classical era who was a missionary working in Egypt. He also produced one of the earliest bowed string instruments made in America.
I hope that you’ll enjoy listening to this group at times on the radio or perhaps in your own collection.
