INKPOT CLASSICAL MUSIC FEATURE: VIVALDI The Four Seasons – Survey of Recordings

Antonio VIVALDI (1658-1741)
Concertos Nos. 1~4 from
Il Cimento dell’Armonia e dell’Invenzione, Op.8
(The Contest between Harmony and Invention)The Four Seasons

Picture by Lois and Bob Schlowsky, Tony Stone Images – taken from cover of Telarc CD83417.

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An inktroduction by Rene Chia

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Recordings of The Four Seasons literally number in the hundreds. As such, choosing one for investment or for review must necessarily be selective. For this survey of available recordings, upcoming reviews are listed below with those which are available now at the Inkpot.

In reviewing these performances, I will of course consider the quality of recording as well as the skill of the performers. In addition, I will highlight and recommend those which show creativity or inventiveness of interpretation.

Everyone has his or her favourite movements, and mine is the beautiful “Winter Largo”. For each season, I will also look out for the sleeping goatherd and barking dog of Spring , the violin solo storm in Summer, and “The Hunt” in Autumn. Pick your favourite Seasonings and bon apptit !

Note: in all reviews, “Spring I” refers to the first movement of Spring; “Autumn II” means the second movement of Autumn, etc. Couplings in the CDs, if available, are listed but not reviewed. The first name in each entry refers to the violin soloist.

Marco Pedrona with the Ensemble Guidantus Reviewed by Chia Han-Leon.

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