"As much as I like Menhuin's playing, these recordings of the Four Seasons are pretty routine. Repeated listening is not rewarding. I wish Jaap Schroeder's would come back (available eons ago), but in any case, there are many fine renditions available, both in traditional (many) and in more provocative styles (Kennedy). In the same vein, the other Vivaldi string pieces by these same forces on this disc are a little dry and not as attractive as they could be.The rest of the disc, however, is pure and absolute joy. Music making of the highest order in very good sound. I have enjoyed this disc more than I thought!"
Agree...the 2nd CD is the keeper here
biz_buzz | United States | 03/01/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I must say I agree with Gregory M. Zinkl, who already has reviewed this 2-CD set. I bought the set for the Concerto in D for Lute (of course also for Guitar), my favorite Vivaldi concerto by far. As a result I listen to the 2nd CD a lot and the 1st CD with The Four Seasons and others I rarely listen to at all. If you are looking for a definitive Four Seasons I defer to Gregory's suggestion that you should look elsewhere. If that is not the case, then just regard having a servicable, if not exceptional, performance of The Four Seasons as a bonus to getting the real "meat" of this CD, the 2nd CD. For the price you can't go wrong."