L’Archicembalo is an ensemble specializing in the performance of musical repertoire from Baroque to early Classicism according to the practices of the period and on original instruments.
Founded in 2000 by Marcello Bianchi (violin and konzertmeister) and Daniela Demicheli (harpsichord and artistic director), L'Archicembalo is the result of years of work and research not only on music, but also of the right fellow travellers: the ideal set-up for a communion of purpose and vision that goes beyond the skill of individual performers.
“That one can emerge fresh from the listening experience and crave more says much for L’Archicembalo’s compelling performances and Vivaldi’s indefatigable imagination…”
Robin Stowell | The Strad
“Those who know and love Vivaldi will immediately recognize the composer's language: an inexhaustible inventiveness of rhythmic and melodic ideas, an unstoppable energy in the fast movements, the dialogue between the instruments never trivial and perfectly calibrated, great lyricism in the slow movements, perfect proportions. All characteristics impeccably highlighted by the performers: Marcello Bianchi, Paola Nervi, violins, Claudio Merlo, cello, Matteo Cicchitti, violone and G violone, Daniela Demicheli, harpsichord.”
Piero Barbareschi | GothicNetwork
THE SONATAS FOR TWO VIOLINS AND BASSO CONTINUO "ACCORDING TO L'ARCHICEMBALO"
A selection of the Venetian master's most beautiful Sonatas for two violins and b.c., including the famous "Follia," which L'Archicembalo has characterized by making it his own, maintaining constant respect for the author, his writing and the performance practices of the time.
The complete recording of the Sonatas for 2 Violins and Basso Continuo "according to L'Archicembalo" was released in September 2021 in a 3-CD box set published by the Brilliant Classics record label.
In order to offer a new and stimulating reading of these Sonatas, the ensemble enriched the basso continuo section with the presence of the violone, giving the performance a particularly interesting and engaging timbral and rhythmic flavour, as well, helping to highlight one of the ensemble's peculiarities: the handling of the basso continuo as a driving and dialoguing element with the two violins, not exclusively as harmonic accompaniment.
Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
Sonata in G minor Op. 1 n. 1 RV 73
Sonata in D Major Op. 1 n. 6 RV 62
Sonata in E minor Op. 1 n. 2 RV 67
Sonata in D minor Op. 1 n. 8 RV 64
Sonata in B flat Major Op. 1 n. 10 RV 78
Sonata in D minor Op. 1 n. 12 RV 63 “La Follia”
L’ARCHICEMBALO
Marcello Bianchi, Paola Nervi – violins
Claudio Merlo – cello
Matteo Cicchitti – violone
Daniela Demicheli – harpsichord
Play Time 60′
“L’Archicembalo is an Italian Baroque string ensemble with a nimble and vivacious style. Performances are energetic, quickly responsive and well-recorded…”.
Richard Fairman | Financial Times
ANTONIO VIVALDI – THE PARIS CONCERTOS
The 12 Paris Concertos are part of the complete Concertos and Symphonies for strings and basso continuo recordings performed by L'Archicembalo and published by Brilliant Classics in a 4-CD box set in 2019.
This is a collection compiled in final form and in fair copy, probably to be given to the press, of twelve of Vivaldi's finest string concertos. The Parisian destination of these works probably stems from the commission of the French ambassador to Venice and helps to define a picture of close relations between Vivaldi and France.
“[..] as soon as I listened to them, I was thrilled. A new, lively and harmonious interpretation, a blessing and an absolute stimulus for my ears”.
Bettina Winkler | SWR (Südwestrundfunk)
Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
Concerto in G minor n. 1 RV 157
Concerto in E minor n. 2 RV 133
Concerto in C minor n. 3 RV 119
Concerto in F Major n. 4 RV 136
Concerto in C Major n. 5 RV 114
Concerto in G minor n. 6 RV 154
Concerto in A Major n. 7 RV 160
Concerto in D minor n. 8 RV 127
Concerto in B flat Major n. 9 RV 164
Concerto in D Major n. 10 RV 121
Concerto in G Major n. 11 RV 150
Concerto in A Major n. 12 RV 159
Play Time 60’
L’ARCHICEMBALO
Marcello Bianchi, Valerio Giannarelli, Paola Nervi, Marco Pesce – violins
Elena Saccomandi – viola
Claudio Merlo – cello
Matteo Cicchitti – violone
Daniela Demicheli – harpsichord
“… their sound is energetic, exuberant and rhythmic, as one would expect from Vivaldi's performances, with an polish and attack that place it at the center of Vivaldi's tonal explosion.”
Charlotte Gardner | Gramophone
THE EARTH AS SEEN BY VIVALDI: The "Four Seasons" played by L'Archicembalo
The most performed opera of all time in L'Archicembalo's “real-parts” version, accompanied by sonnets dedicated to each Season read by the actress Laura Bombonato.
Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
Concerto in E Major Op. 8 n. 1 RV 269 La Primavera
Concerto in G minor Op. 8 n. 2 RV 315 L'Estate
Concerto in F Major Op. 8 n. 3 RV 293 L'Autunno
Concerto in F minor Op. 8 n. 4 RV 297 L'Inverno
Play time 50’
L’ARCHICEMBALO
Marcello Bianchi, Paola Nervi, Marco Pesce – violins
Elena Saccomandi – viola
Claudio Merlo – cello
Matteo Cicchitti – violone
Daniela Demicheli – harpsichord
Laura Bombonato – narrator
1, 2, 3, STELLA!
From the name of the game that originated in Piedmont and soon spread with good fortune throughout Italy, the title of a musical journey that, proceeding by augmentation (from the solo concerto, to the concerto for 2, for 3, for 4, up to the orchestral ensemble), emphasises Vivaldi's tireless imagination which, just as play has accompanied generations of children, has given rise to masterpieces that have crossed the boundaries of time.
Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
Concerto in A minor for violin, strings and b.c. RV 356 from "L'Estro Armonico"
Concerto in C minor for 2 violins, strings and b.c. RV 510
Concerto in A minor for 2 violins, strings and b.c. RV 522 from "L'Estro Armonico"
Concerto in D minor for 2 violins, cello, strings and b.c. RV 565 from "L'Estro Armonico"
Concerto in F Major for 3 violins, strings and b.c. RV 551
Concerto in E minor for 4 violins, cello, strings and b.c. RV 550 from "L'Estro Armonico"
Concerto in D minor for strings and b.c. RV 128
Concerto in G minor for strings and b.c. RV 156
Durata circa 60’
L’ARCHICEMBALO
Marcello Bianchi, Valerio Giannarelli, Paola Nervi, Claudio Andriani – violins
Elena Saccomandi – viola
Claudio Merlo – cello
Matteo Cicchitti – violone
Daniela Demicheli – harpsichord
“The group, who play on period instruments, offer performances of these works which would be hard to beat...”.
Brian Wilson| MusicWeb International