Antonio Vivaldi - Complete Cello Sonatas (Ophélie Gaillard)

Information

Composer: Antonio Vivaldi

• Cello Sonata in A Minor, RV 43
• Cello Sonata in E Minor, RV 40
• Cello Sonata in G Minor, RV 42
• Cello Sonata in F Major, RV 41
• Cello Sonata in A Minor, RV 44
• Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 46
• Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 45
• Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, RV 47
• Cello Sonata in E-Flat Major, RV 39

Ophélie Gaillard, cello

Pulcinella Orchestra

Date: 2025

Label: Aparté

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Vivaldi’s nine surviving cello sonatas likely represent only a fraction of those he composed, given his known fondness for the instrument and the presence of skilled cellists at the Ospedale della Pietà. While their authenticity—especially Sonata No. 6—has been questioned, they are believed to date from the 1720s. Unlike his violin sonatas, Vivaldi never published his cello sonatas himself; the first six appeared in a likely pirated 1740 Paris edition. These works follow the sonata da chiesa format (slow-fast-slow-fast), blending dance rhythms with expressive, elegant slow movements. Ophélie Gaillard and Pulcinella interpret them with nuance, balance, and refined stylistic sensitivity.

Ophélie Gaillard (b. 1974, Paris) is a distinguished French cellist known for her versatility and expressive depth. Trained at the Conservatoire de Paris, she earned top prizes in chamber music, modern cello, and baroque cello, and also holds degrees in pedagogy and musicology. She gained international recognition after winning third prize at the 1998 International Bach Competition and being named “Revelation: Solo Instrumentalist of the Year” at the 2003 Victoires de la musique classique. A noted interpreter of solo cello repertoire, her acclaimed recordings include works by Bach and Britten. In 2005, she founded Pulcinella, a period-instrument Baroque ensemble.

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