Vivaldi: Four Seasons & Concertos RV257, 376 & 211
£4.27
- Le quattro stagioni
- Three Concertos for Violin and Orchestra
Take your breath away (but not Carmignola s) - A sonic treat that benefits from a bit of volume on the hi-fi. I m no classical expert, but this is a fantastic interpretation of the Four Seasons. I ve knocked one star off because you can clearly hear Carmignola breathing on the quieter passages and this can be quite distracting at times. However, it s not too bad at lower volumes and should not stop you from buying this CD.
Buy! - Most people reading reviews of this disc are probably more interested in The Four Seasons than anything else. As the most frequently played work in the classical repertoire, it has become something of a cliché. How can any new recording offer something different? Well, Carmignola and the Venice Baroque make every effort to do so and this CD fizzes with energy. The storm in the allegro of Summer really does have some clout. Carmignola s playing of the big four is virtuosic and impassioned, while the orchestra contributes massively (theirs is no mere accompaniment).The VBO always offer a multi-layered sound, recorded here in incredible detail.But my interest lies primarily in the three world-premiere recordings also offered here. It might be imagined that these three late works are not in the same league as the concerti that precede them. This view would be completely mistaken. What is striking is that music of such quality should have been neglected for so long. (The reason why they were not published in Vivaldi s lifetime is because after 1733 he d decided to sell manuscripts of concerti individually - at a guinea apiece, if you re interested. We re lucky most have survived.)Although their sampling facility is exemplary, listening to the excerpts on Amazon will give only the vaguest idea of the depth and richness of sound created by Venice Baroque - the best Baroque ensemble, for my money. Music like this demands to be played on quality hi-fi equipment. The Eb concerto in particular is ravishing, life-affirming stuff. I ve still no idea exactly what combination of instruments make up the sounds in the slow movement (theorbo, cello and organ is my best guess) but the result is hypnotic. RV211 and RV376 are also richly rewarding. Altogether, this recording is essential listening. I paid full price for it in pre-Amazonian days, but it has been worth every penny.
Lovely - I moved recently and lost my four seasons cd, which i loved and i was nervous about trying to replace it. However, this is a lovely lovely cd, I would highly recommend it.
Wonderful original instruments recording - I acquired this recording in Japan among a clutch of CDs bought as an antidote to the ever-present, dismal J-pop. I remember thinking at the time that no recording could ever beat the elderly Christopher Hogwood/Academy of Ancient Music recording of the Four Seasons I had bonded with (and left in storage, since it was ... on vinyl). So much for that! This is marvellous stuff! The original instruments and the impeccable conducting (Andrea Marcon, also playing the harpsichord) should satisfy even the most exacting of baroque afficionados. Carmignola, as well as demonstrating his virtuosity, has managed quite a feat - a unique interpretation that is still faithful to the period but exciting at the same time. An added treat are the 3 violin concerti after the Four Seasons. Enjoy!
Astounding violin virtuosity with musicality - We have all heard many performances of the FourSeasons, but there is noone who can make the musiccome alive like this soloist. He puts greattechnical prowess at the service of the music, from the trilling birds at the start of Spring to the hair-raising slips and slides at the end of Winter.