Track Listing

1. Le quattro stagioni
2. Three Concertos for Violin and Orchestra

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9982 in Music
• Released on: 2002-06-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .24 pounds
• Running time: 72 minutes

Customer Reviews

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!

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 a new recording offer anything 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-Amazon days, but it has been worth every penny.

Astounding violin virtuosity with musicality
We have all heard many performances of the Four
Seasons, but there is noone who can make the music
come alive like this soloist. He puts great
technical 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.