Customer Reviews

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Five BIG Stars!! Grammy-winning violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, one of the greatest on the planet, steps into the baroque world and delivers an unusually personal, superb version of Antonio Vivaldi's "Four Seasons". This is an oft-recorded work (in the past year alone I've purchased a wonderful version by violinist Viktoria Mullova/Claudio Abbado and enjoyed a very nice transcribed slice of "Winter" by cellist Sol Gabetta in full baroque gear), but in Mr Bell's hands he reveals even more wonderful tempo elasticity and more personal nuances in this classic work by "the Red Priest". On this CD, not only is Mr Bell in the role of dazzling virtuosic soloist and conductor, but he is fortunate to have the superb Academy of St. Martin in the Fields as his orchestra and they have had a year of performances leading up to this august recording.

The entire work is breathtakingly wonderful and should find it's way into music libraries as a benchmark work. My favorites are the third movement (presto) of Summer (with Mr Bell daringly ahead of the normal pulse) which is outstanding and unrelenting in it's intensity, the first movement of Autumn, and the entire wondrous four movements of Winter. It's amazing how the familiar becomes fresh in different hands. Mr Bell successfully pairs the Vivaldi work with a 14 minute exposition of Tartini's Sonata in G Minor for Violin and Basso Continuo (aka The Devil's Trill Sonata) which is a lovely work of elegance and virtuosity, the last four minutes of which are stunning. Throughout Mr Bell pulls off difficult passages with ease and depth of feeling. This is truly beautiful music that leaps into the realm of pure enjoyment and over any possible controversies about period instruments, baroque strings & bows, and vibrato. It took Joshua Bell decades to finally work his way to Vivaldi's Four Seasons but the wait was worth it. Bravo, Mr Bell. My Highest Recommendation. Five BIG Stars (This review is based on an iTunes download, also containing the translations of the very poetic seasonal sonnets Vivaldi wrote to accompany the music.)

Mr Bell can rarely play in anything but an excellent and clean fashion, and the same can be said of St. Martin-in-the-Fields orchestra. But in the case of this recording of Vivaldi's most famous set of concertos, there it ends. Technically well executed, almost no understanding of this marvelous 18th c. music is evident in this performance-- it adds nothing to the countless interpretations of this music that was not already present 25 years ago or more before the EM (or HIP or music reconstruction or whatever we may call it) movement came to the forefront. Make no mistake, I'm no "authenticity fascist" and do not have any objection to modern instrument performances, even with a little Romantic flair added in, but this is being marketed to us as a "deeply personal" interpretation and it rather feels perfunctory, at times, bordering on the joyless. By all means acquaint yourself with this wor, but there are better, more affectionate and joyful renditions available that may not have overly hyped commercial packaging or marketing driving them.

To say that Joshua Bell is a virtuoso is an understatement. To say that this album is an inspiration and a renewing of the spirit is yet again an understatement. Put them both together and you have an amazing work of art and ingenuity. His interpretations of Vivaldi's Four Seasons is not only remarkable, but a true inspiration. I have many versions of this work, but by far yet, Joshua Bell's is my absolute favorite. He is a miracle to the world of classical music. I highly recommend this album!

Joshua Bell is predominantly adept at romantic repertoire.
It sounds a bit surprising that it was only after 20 odd years that this amazing virtuoso tries his hand at the Italian Baroque composers.
Well, the wait is fully justified.
In the amazing hands of Joshua Bell, Vivaldi's Concerti for violin and orchestra "The Four Seasons" and Tartini's g minor violin sonata "The Devil's Trill" receive superbly articulate and novelly musical treatments.
The most interestingly outstanding piece is the last track embodying Tartini's g minor sonata.
While many virtuoso violinists love to record this piece of showmanship, Bell's rendition is of a level that is difficult to surpass in terms of finesse as well as originality. Much credit also goes to Constable's basso continuo accompaniment on the harpsichord.
Without the intrusive sound that normally comes from pianoforte's in this part of the piece, the solo violin is able to bring out to the full the score's unique demands on the instrument. It is highly interesting to hear how Joshua Bell is able to manipulate the various virtuoso passages with stunning technique and incomparable balance, topped by continuous beauty of tone in fully harmonious outputs throughout. Even the 'Devil' sounds truly mellifuous.
The earlier tracks on The Four Seasons are a real gem to own on top of the various illustrious renditions of this well-known set.

For those classical music lovers, this CD is perfect. Joshua Bell is an accomplished artist and you can feel the power of the music in his playing. Not just Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the CD also includes The Devil's Sonata. This Sonata was written in 1713--same year as the Stradivarius violin Bell plays. What can I say? I listen to this CD all the time and have given it to several friends and family members.

I'm not knowledgeable about the music but I know what I like and I would recommend this CD. I was immediately drawn in to the brightness and excellence of this from the first track.

Been a Vivaldi freak my entire life. I began playing viola in junior high school and was getting high doses of Vivaldi shoved in my face and on my music stand as early as 1970. The first version of the Four Seasons I ever purchased was performed by the Toulouse Chamber Orchestra under the direction of was Louis Auriacombe on Angel Records. Viva Vivaldi / Louis Auriacombe, Orch de Chambre de Toulouse Charming, but outdated the minute Hogwood and gang came into vogue back in the late seventies/early eighties. Fabio Biondi's versions of the Four Seasons Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Fabio Biondi & Europa Galante, I thought, would be nearly impossible to beat for cleanliness, precision, and attitude.

Then I heard this recording. I take a great degree of exception to the statements about lack of emotion. Mr. Bell makes these pieces "dance," and are as joyous and lively as any interpretation I've heard. After all, this isn't Puccini or Verdi, and the style of playing is perfectly suited to the material. Nothing at all like going through the motions.

Listen to the samples and decide for yourselves. The tempos are perfect, the balance between the orchestra and Mr. Bell is spot on. Reverb doesn't overwhlem the performances. Wonderful sound engineering all around. This may not be the only version of the Four Seasons you'll ever want to own, but surely an essential recording for Vivaldi collectors.

Bought this for my daughter who plays the violin.
He is her favorite and I also enjoy him very much.
Good disc!

St. Pete-Music Lover

If you like The Four Seasons, you would enjoy this interpretation. Bell manages to make it sound fresh.

While there's no doubt Joshua Bell is a fine violin player, his interpretation of this work feels awkward at times. His rhythm is occasionally off, and his dynamics are too exaggerated - though his pitch is almost always right on. His emotive style is much better suited for more Romantic pieces, and anyone who's listening for a good baroque interpretation of the Four Seasons would likely be disappointed.