Search - Pietro Antonio Locatelli, Antonio Vivaldi, Andrea Marcon :: Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

The best recording of the Four Seasons in existence

Simon Zaleski | 03/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a Baroque specialist with three master's degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, I have come to the simple conclusion that this is the finest, most exciting, and most beautiful recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons concerti in existence. Many people love the Four Seasons because of their tunefulness and programmatic elements, but a lot of recordings, especially those by modern symphony orchestras, approach these pieces with a very poor interpretation. Tempi are too slow, the sound is too heavy, and the scalar passages and arpeggios are played with such a lack of intensity that they sound little more exciting than a set of etudes. This recording, however, is simply flaming with passion while remaining within the bounds of a historically-informed performance.



Why is this recording so special? The Venice Baroque Orchestra can make literally any passage of music, no matter how pedestrian, sound electrifying. They play with such cohesion and precision, however, that they can execute rapid passages using all separate bows and sound more cohesive than your average string quartet--the rapid passages in the third movement of "Summer" must be heard to be believed. Orchestra and soloist follow and listen to each other so well that everything is seamless...dynamic changes and articulation details and rhythmic expressiveness all occur with everyone moving in perfect harmony. Carmignola's technique is impeccable, and while he uses a measure of vibrato and rubato it is a good representation of how these should be used...as ornaments, not a constant part of the sound. The orchestra's sound is beautiful and resonant, with an excellent continuo section, and the soloist is living proof that the best period instrument soloists can now compete with the best of "modern" soloists.



"Spring" manages to be buoyant, expressive, and yet exhilarating, which is not true of many slow, heavy modern-style recordings. "Summer" is truly a rip-roaring stunner that is truly breathtaking and the final movement on this recording is one long pyrotechnic display. "Autumn" can sound pedestrian in many lesser performances but here it really shine, and "Winter" contains some truly beautiful moments (the second movement in particular!) but also brims with Arctic fury especially during the last movement. This is the way the Red Priest ought to be remembered...not with languid, heavy, boring performances but with ones that allow his wild spirit to truly come alive. I know I am in danger of going hyperbolic here, but this is a truly outstanding recording of repertoire that has been recorded countless times.



The additional concerti on this disc are also Baroque gems, and hopefully this recording will go a long way in convincing those who are of the belief that Vivaldi's music is wallpaper music to realize what this music is really meant to be. For those who find they must have more of this, Carmingnola and the Venice Baroque Orchestra have recorded many other very fine discs, including some of his very interesting late conceri which had never been recorded before. All of them are highly recommended!!"