Vivaldi - 4 Seasons

[cultjake]

Recommendations on particular issues, please.

Also, feel free to recommend any other outstanding baroque.

Thanks.....

[pivot]

There is a reason certain pieces become War horses. Too often Four Seasons gets played as pretty, ignorable, background music.


I enjoy the recording of Max Goberman directing the New York Sinfonietta. Early stereo sound and some rought playing BUT the enthusiasm wins the day for me.

The forces invovled are not recording another somnambulant overblown version of "on hold" music. The small ensemble wants to challenge itself and the listener. Not historical/period/orignal insturments but still an attempt to get the dark varnish off the old master painting.

My copy is Musical Heritage V/10 but also look for it on Columbia Odyssey.

More modern and truly in the Historically Informed Practice (HIP) camp:

La Petite Bande with Sigiswald Kuijken directing from the violin. Mine is RCA SEON RL 30397. Definately not played as nappy time music.

If you hear a version where the final movement of "Summer" is not down right scary, try another one.

[brain_spo0n]

[tim_bissell]

My favourite by a mile; original instruments make it sound more 'authentic' - no syrup!

http://www.discogs.com/Vivaldi-Academy-Of-Ancient-Music-The-Christopher-Hogwood-Alison-Bury-Catherine-Mackintosh-Christophe/release/2883408

[Dr Pan K]

there's a fantastic edition by philips were salvatore accardo plays on 4 distinct stradivari's, one for every season. highly recommended

also worth to mention the bach guild productions of the 50s. mono but with a fantastic sound

[jenkovix]

The best ever:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/41656 ... nyl_Record

or get a Tacet one, can't go wrong with that.

[GTH]

I will second the Tacet recommendation, a modern, fully analoge production with very competant musisians. Buy new, they are very high quality.

[paul401]

La Petite Bande with Sigiswald Kuijken directing from the violin. Mine is RCA SEON RL 30397. Definately not played as nappy time music.

My favourite by a mile; original instruments make it sound more 'authentic' - no syrup!
http://www.discogs.com/Vivaldi-Academy-Of-Ancient-Music-The-Christopher-Hogwood-Alison-Bury-Catherine-Mackintosh-Christophe/release/2883408
[

Two very good recommendations, I have always found La Petite Bande version mentioned very enjoyable.
Another 'period instrument' version I've liked, is Trevor Pinnock with The English Concert, found on the Archiv label, original release 1982.

There are, I believe, more versions of this piece in the catalogues than any other, so you have plenty of choice. Each will have it's merits (or not! ) and personal choice and preference for different styles and recordings will affect your choice. Happy hunting.

Paul

Other pieces, try, Bach, The Brandenburg Concertos and The English Suites.