Whole books have been written on Antonio Vivaldi and his instrumental works, but these five keyboard works have generally been neglected. Here, the works are interpreted according to the basic idea that they are in fact chamber music, which is suggested by their structure. They include aspects of the tutti / solo pattern, but they also include dialogue in which soloists and all the other instruments are on the same plane. The music is developed through counterpoint and imitation. In line with this interpretation, the bass of the two sonatas is played by solo organ. The keyboard is a soloist in the conception of sound, rather than being a more obscure complementary bass melody instrument, as is opportune in many cases. The organ is a valid second voice in creating the conversational intimacy which the music suggests.

Ottaviano Tenerani