Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

Sarah Chang (Artist), Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
• Audio CD (October 2, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000VEBGEE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,031 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > New Age > Instrumental
  • #19 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > Violin
  • #26 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750) > General AAS

Track Listings

1. I Allegro

2. II Largo

3. III Allegro

4. I Allegro Non Molto - Allegro

5. II Adagio E Piano - Presto E Forte

6. III Presto

7. I Allegro

8. II Adagio Molto

9. III Allegro

10. I Allegro Non Molto

11. II Largo

12. III Allegro

13. I Allegro

14. II Largo

15. III Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best of the Non-Italian Entries in the 4 Seasons Sweepstakes, May 18, 2008

By 

Doug - Haydn Fan (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Audio CD)

This standout composition by Vivaldi need not continually overshadow so much else by this great composer. Vivaldi not only in the Four Seasons as heard on this CD but throughout his career creates a whole world of breath taking innovative changes in the music of his time. Much of his achievement can be discovered through Michael Talbot's authoritative writings on the Italian Baroque in music. Talbot's book on Vivaldi is a must purchase for anyone wishing to go beyond this one work. the Four Seasons, and discover many more fabulous treasures. Talbot's book also is very well-written, a nice plus when reading about the past and a subject - classical music - that can easily turn pedantic.Vivaldi (Master Musicians Series) Fans of the Four Seasons should make every effort to try some of Vivaldi's other works, music which captivated an entire generation of composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach. Do not hesitate to hear La Stravanga, Opus 4, under the leadership of another wonderful violinist, Rachel Podger, playing and leading original instruments, Stravaganza: Violin Concerti Op 4 1-12 For a walk on the wild side try the sensational playing of the L'estro armonica Opus 3, with Fabio Biondi - very controversial - Vivaldi : L'estro armonico / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante

In this brand new recording of the Four Seasons with Chang and the Orpheus, EMI almost certainly has a winner. I hate to promote a CD which will certainly receive the full media treatment, but this is more than just another up and coming violinist making the umpteenth recorded run through of the Four Seasons to placate marketing. Ms Chang, who has at times sounded a tad less emotional than I prefer in the Romantic repetoire, certainly shows off a strong affinity for this music's multiplicity of emotions. The Four Seasons may be deadly familiar, but that by no means makes it easy! Sarah Chang's just slightly too forwardly recorded violin playing needs make no apologies to anyone. Only a very few violinists play this work this well. It's a real joy listening to her negotiate all the trickiest passages and rarely scuffing or losing her tone. Many listeners in Vivaldi's time routinely felt the Italian violin masters, such as Vivaldi himself, played and composed music that was too extroverted and dramatic, sacrificing beauty of tone. Too often even fine modern players run rather roughshod in this work. Yet there are exceptions such as Ms Chang who allow us to enjoy our cake and eat it too! There are only a few passages in the music where her pitch isn't quite dead on, and believe me, no one else can run this obstacle course cleanly either! You have to know the music and violin playing to appreciate just how difficult it is to play this music. Her group the Oprheus as a whole is also quite good, though perhaps not quite in the same class as one or two of the very finest groups who have previously recorded this music. (See the older but still mightly impressive I Musici version Vivaldi: Le Quattro Stagioni (The Four Seasons) Despite that one niggling reservation I wholeheartedly agree with everone else here at Amazon. The recording does a fine job capturing the nuances of Chang's playing and she's so good as to leave me wondering how I can mark this CD down. And I can't.

Though not my first choice in this music - I still lean to I Musici overall for urbanity and polish, while turning to the first verison with Fabio Biondi for lights out excitement - Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Fabio Biondi & Europa Galante- this is still an extraordinarily well-played and lively rendition and one that should please the most demanding of critics as well, I might add, as all the rest of us!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars balanced and beautiful rendition, October 26, 2007

By 

D. Paper "dpaper" (Logan, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Audio CD)

I have heard many Vivaldi Four Seasons renditions, but this is one my favorite. I was fortunate to see Sarah play live about one year ago and I was absolutely in heaven. Her playing is fluid, delicate, and very musical. On this CD, the playing is exquisite and musical. I own several of her CDs and all of them are just so enjoyable to listen to. Besides her talented rendition and musical signature, the recording VERY well-balanced and naturally realistic (as is the case on all of her CDs). She has the goods as a musician coupled with great recording engineering!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid Vivaldi Four Seasons From Sarah Chang and Orpheus, May 16, 2008

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Audio CD)

Having seen last Saturday a resounding performance of this work by Sarah Chang and Orpheus at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium, I knew already that this would be a fine recording. It is quite simply, one of the very best performances of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" that I have heard either live or in recordings. Chang and Orpheus play these venerable concerti as though they were all members of the same ensemble. While Chang has ample opportunities to show her ebullient personality in her solos, she doesn't try to steer the performance in her direction, performing as if she was a long-time member of Orpheus. Her technically proficient playing is quite fluid, but still one replete with ample emotional richness. Of the recent recordings of the "Four Seasons" that I am aware of, Chang's comes closest to Mutter's with respect to audio sound quality and musicianship.