A. Vivaldi Vivaldi: Flute Concertos

Emmanuel Pahud is an amazing flute virtuoso, and he shows it in these sparkling Vivaldi Concertos. He whips up the waves in the Op. 10, No. 1, better known as "The Storm at Sea." Faster movements throughout these works are taken at a spanking pace, but with Pahud's breath control and ability to shape phrases at any tempo, he's not fazed at all. Those faster movements are done with energetic playing by all hands, the Australian Chamber Orchestra proving their mettle by matching the soloist and providing ample charms of their own, with sharp accents and vigorous yet shapely playing. Slow movements are even better, tapping Vivaldi's vein of lyricism with restrained but meltingly beautiful playing. Listen to the Largo e cantabile movement of Op. 10, No. 5 or the Largo of the concerto called "La notte" and be enchanted. It's all performed on modern instruments, but even die-hard period instrument fans should find this disc a keeper. --Dan Davis