Track Listing

1. Concerto No. 1 In E Major, 'La primavera' RV269: I. Allegro
2. Concerto No. 1 In E Major, 'La primavera' RV269: II. Largo
3. Concerto No. 1 In E Major, 'La primavera' RV269: III. Allegro
4. Concerto No. 2 In G Minor 'L'estate' RV315: I. Allegro non molto
5. Concerto No. 2 In G Minor 'L'estate' RV315: II. Adagio
6. Concerto No. 2 In G Minor 'L'estate' RV315: III. Presto
7. Concerto No. 3 In F Major 'L'autunno' RV293: I. Allegro
8. Concerto No. 3 In F Major 'L'autunno' RV293: II. Adagio molto
9. Concerto No. 3 In F Major 'L'autunno' RV293: III. Allegro
10. Concerto No.4 In F Minor 'L'Inverno' RV297: I. Allegro non molto
11. Concerto No.4 In F Minor 'L'Inverno' RV297: II. Largo
12. Concerto No.4 In F Minor 'L'Inverno' RV297: III. Allegro

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11629 in Music
• Released on: 1997-05-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds
• Running time: 41 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
What is left to be said, musically, about a work that features on around a hundred recordings in the current UK catalogue alone? In explaining that he has not been "seduced" by the "authentic" movement, Kennedy notes, "In my opinion, if a piece of music belongs only to the time in which it was written, it should not be played today". Thus his approach draws on the entire tradition of violin playing: "Once I've established an instinctive relationship with the music, I need to use every technique I know to communicate that to the listener". Communicate Nigel Kennedy certainly does, bringing a fresh eye to a work over-familiarity has consigned to background music. His "Adagio Molto" from Concerto No. 3 opens with an extraordinary spectral bowing effect, while the following "Allegro" has a zestful percussive snap. His tempos are faster, his rhythms more accentuated and dynamic, his playing more vigorous and involved than we are used to. The effect is startling and exhilarating, making this a Four Seasons to be listened to. Putting the solo instrument once more to the fore, Nigel Kennedy has done us a great service, reminding us that these truly are fine concertos, bringing this vibrant music once more to our attention. --Gary S. Dalkin

Customer Reviews

Simply the best rendition I've heard.
Simply one of the best renditions of any piece of music I've ever heard. Timeless. I am buying another copy because my cassette tape wore out long ago. Once you hear Kennedy's version, the rest just cannot compare for techincal brilliance and inspiration.

Excellent CD, inspirational heart-pounding stuff!
This CD has Nigel Kennedy as the lead violinist in vivaldi's Four Seasons. I also have Yehudi Menuhin's version of the four seasons but Nigel (Menuhin's pupil) has emotion in his playing that Menuhin does not match. A must have for any string orchestra fan!

A very refreshing version of a too-often recorded work
This CD is simply one of the best versions of Vivaldi's most well known work. While it is easy to assume that all recordings of The Four Seasons are much the same (I believe there have been over 150!), this one really brings something new to the party.

Love or loath Kennedy, there's no denying he knows how to use a violin. There are some amazing sounds on this CD, which really add a freshness to a work that is in great danger of being done to death.

One of my "Top 10" classical CDs!