Dear Vieri,
What a great recording of the Four Seasons. I have to congratulate you and your flute class on an achievement of the highest quality. Your playing of the solo part is very good and you retain your very high individual approach to everything. The playing of the ensemble is immaculate and between you you achieve some very individual and original colors throughout the recording. I loved the tempi throughout. In the Allegros and prestos you showed no fear and showed us all how to play the flute with great style and temperament. This is a recording I shall treasure and I do appreciate you sending it to me. Please pass on my best wishes to your class and tell them how much I enjoyed the CD. Best wishes,
Sir James Galway
Meggen, 31 Jan 2005
The All Flutes Chamber Orchestra with Vieri Bottazzini displays excellent tuning, rhythmic precision, balance, and wonderful style. Vieri's arrangements along with the outstanding skills displayed by all the players makes this flute orchestra performance stand a step above all others I have heard.
All my best,
Larry Krantz
21 Jan 2005
Stagioni: The 4 Seasons and Other Concertos is an excellent CD performed by the All Flutes Chamber Orchestra, which was created by Vieri Bottazzini at the Mimar Sinan University′s State Conservatoire. These remarkable renditions, however, are professional in every way. Bottazzini plays the solo flute parts, accompanied by the flute orchestra. Vivaldi would be delighted with his Four Seasons, which are presented in fresh interpretations, every voice clearly audible and balanced. The intonation is impeccable, solo and accompanimental roles clearly presented, and ensemble togetherness excellent. The six orchestra flutists play as with one voice, and Bottazzini provides a virtuosic flair, while playing with great sensitivity. This recording is in a completely different category than most flute choir presentations and is highly recommended.
Flute Talk, April 2005
Vieri Bottazzini′s recording of Vivaldi′s 4 Seasons & other Concertos, with the All Flutes Chamber Orchestra is absolutely sublime. Bottazzini has gone back to the original manuscript and created a completely new arrangement and the result is a fresh and exciting interpretation. The technique and musicality are exquisite, with an incredible range of tone colors. The ensemble playing is extraordinary, with flawless intonation (so unusual in this combination) and a glorious sound (...)
The Flutist, March 2005
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Virtuoso − CD reviews and comments
Dear Vieri,
I have listened to your CD "Virtuoso" several times and each time is a greater pleasure than the last. I love the full rich sound you get in the low notes and the even singing tone you have throughout the recording. Your interpretations are higly individual. I especially enjoyed the Gade Tango which I heard for the first time along with the excellent interpretation of Genin′s Rigoletto.
This is a great recording and one I shall treasure.
Best wishes,
Sir James Galway
Meggen, 17 Dec 2003
"Flutist Vieri Bottazzini and pianist Lilian Tonella perform numerous fantasies on this 66−minutes recording... Trained in Milan, the young italian flutist teaches at the Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul and plays with great virtuosity and musicality. (...) The ensemble is tight, the sound reproduction good, and the performance teachnically flawless. (...)"
Flute Talk, February 2004
"...among Bottazzini′s qualities is worth noting the exceptional evenness of sound throughout the various registers... the technical model we can see is James Galway′s, though without the body−building type excess that so many students developed; rather, with a special care for nuances that using the most delicate colours can give expressivity to the most lyrical pages"
Emilio Galante, FaLaUt February 2004
Bravo, Vieri!
I had a chance to listen this week and can only say that your performances are stunning.
Congratulations!
John Wion, 27 November 2003
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Interviews & Press
Vieri Bottazzini′s Adventure Teaching Flute in Turkey
Featured on the cover of July-August 2004's issue of FluteTalk, in a 6-page interview with Victoria Jicha Vieri tells about his studies, his teaching philosophy, his impressions on young students and more.
Flute Talk, July-August 2004
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Concert reviews
Italian Virtuoso Whirlwinds Audience
"The thunder of applause after Vieri Bottazzini′s flute recital could have satisfied a rock star...", "Bottazzini′s playing showed great lyrical depths and an impressive but not excessive technique."
Spartan Daily, February 6, 2004
"...from the first, Vieri Bottazzini thrilled us with his tone qualities and virtuosity, his sensitive phrasing and expression."
Pan, June 2003
"...flutist Vieri Bottazzini and pianist John Lenehan, choosing a program of virtuoso pieces, got the listeners in their hand playing a very effective concert."
Cumhurriyet, October 30, 2002
"...we listen to all of Mozart′s quartet in the same evening (...) italian flutist Vieri Bottazzini, in each and every of the quartets spoke Mozart′s words using the real language of his music."
Cumhurriyet, November 28, 2001
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References & letters (PDF format, zipped - right click & choose "Save as...")
Joe Rodgers, March 2004
John Wion, March 2003
Johanna Cowen-White, February 2003
Bruce Bonnell, February 2003
Bruce Bonnell (2), February 2003
Sandra Seefeld, February 2003
John Duffy, December 1998
Bruce Bonnell, December 1998
Maxence Larrieu, December 1996
Raffaele Trevisani, December 1996
James Galway, August 1994
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