Customer Reviews

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Sitting here, listening to the Four Seasons performance played by Itzhak Perlman, Isaac Stern and the Israel Philharmonic, I've realized how important a musician is in the performance of a piece of music. While the Perlman/Stern/Zukerman/Mintz performance is wonderful to listen to, it lacks a certain something (and not to mention the horribly loud applause that interrupts the mood of the piece).

All is better in Joseph Silverstein's rendition of the piece. I remember purchasing this version on tape a few years back, and was still amazed at the beauty. Now on CD, it sounds even better. Silverstein is a master, and he rightfully plays the piece straight out. It's rather difficult to listen to any other performance of the Four Seasons after Silverstein and the Boston Symphony have played it. All in all, I'd say it is not just one of the best Four Seasons performances ever recorded... it is one of the best recorded performances of any classical piece in history. You will not be disappointed.

This is one of the first CD's I ever bought in the early 80's (my CD jacket says it was released in 1982) and I still play it constantly. Back then, I had learned to always look for the classical recordings by the Telarc label because their recording techniques were far above any other labels. I still believe that. This disk still has to be one of the best recordings of this piece ever. The accoustics are perfect and while I don't pretend to be an expert on evaluating classical music, I find the playing by the Boston Symphony ensemble breathtaking. It's just too bad this CD is buried in a huge pile of other Vivaldi recordings of the Four Seasons. It should be at the top of the stack for more visibility.

I'm certainly not a music critic, so I'll simply say that this performance is the most disciplined yet passionate I've ever heard. What particularly impresses me is the engineering. The clarity and balance is incredibile. In other recordings I've heard, the harpsicord sounds like it's buried under a quilt. Here it is perfectly articulated. The bass is full yet never boomy and the strings are crisp but never raspy. It doesn't get any better than this.

I bought three other versions of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and disliked them all. I never knew how much more I liked my mom's version, which she always played in the car. It could be just that that was the first version I heard, but this seems the best. Others seem to have unnecessary flourishes and feel overly emotional. That probably relates to the dramatic photos of the violinists on the cover; this recording's not pretentious and it's well balanced between being musically accurate and emotional. The cover art is subtle but has character, like the recording.

Joseph Silverstein is an outstanding violinist--he also has a wonderful recording of the Beethoven violin concerto out, but it's pretty hard to find. Anyway, this is not my favorite Four Seasons (Simon Standage version with Trevor Pinnock is my first choice) but it's a striking rendition and I recommend it.

Vivaldi's spirit must have been with the symphony when they recorded this. Though I have parts of Vivaldi's 4 seasons on a few Baroque compilation CD's, this is by far the best overall performance/recording. For example. the tight driven strings that break into the lazy beginning of the Summer section are awe inspiring. I had never really paid that much attention to that part until I heard this CD. My hat''s off also to the recording artists as this CD is not overly awash in waltzy-smaltzy concert hall reverb. It is dynamic and tight! Yeah!

Oh, and just so you know, I'm not only a lover of great baroque music, but enjoy rock, pop, blues, and metal as well. Hint: If you'd like to hear a great marriage of hard rock and classical, check out the Rondo Veneziano albums "Magica Melodia," "Visioni di Venezia," and "I Grandi Successi Originali." If you like upbeat driven energy, go with "Visioni di Venezia." If you like passionate romance, go with "Magica Melodia." Also check out the three rock-opera style Christmas albums by "The Transiberian Orchestra."

This is an excellent recording of this work. Crisp, clear sound from world-class performers. I couldn't be more pleased.

I found this to be my favorite version of this piece. It seems to be very sweet and crisp. I am generally not fond of music with an emphasis on strings, however this CD is an exeption.

Head and shoulders above the rest, this recording recieved a grammy nomination. After hearing this CD, I find it difficult to listen to other recordings of The Four Seasons. The playing is extremely tight and doesnt have the over dramatic flair which is so common and unwelcome on other recordings. Just listen to a preview clip of 'Presto' (Summer) on this CD and the various other Four Seasons Offerings here on Amazon and you understand what I am talking about.

I have not yet found a better recording of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" than this one by the Boston Symphony on the Telarc label. It is so clear and crisp and Joel Silverstein will move you with his violin. Highly recommended for any lover of Vivaldi!