Robert King had the good fortune that a lost Vivaldi Nisi Dominus turned up just as his project to record the composer's complete sacred music reached its 10th and final volume. This is its première recording. As the work's authenticator, Michael Talbot, has pointed out, only Vivaldi would have dared to include solos for chalumeau, violin 'in tromba marina', viola d'amore, organ and cello in a single multi- sectional work. If, as it seems, this is one of the great colouristic experimenter's last sacred compositions, he certainly goes out with a bang. An atmospheric and loving performance gives a perfect start to its new life.
The other major work for this final volume is the famous Gloria, a fitting crown to the series.
So much is good in it – boldness, brightness, expressive depth, melodic beauty – and it all comes through in this carefully judged interpretation.
Carolyn Sampson is excellent in the short solo motet Ostro picta, a final reminder that high-quality solo singing has been one of the principal pleasures of this series. But King gives the final word to the members of his choir, who ably sing the stand-out solos in the intriguing Gloria by Giovanni Maria Ruggieri from which Vivaldi pinched his own concluding 'Cum Sancto Spiritu' fugue. With its bold strokes of originality and colour, it's easy to see how it could have impressed Vivaldi.