Customer Reviews

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was looking for a Four Seasons recording, and picked this one based on its presence on NRP's Performance Today 50 list. I was *not* disappointed. This is a stellar recording of a stellar performance. The sound is crisp and clear, the playing energetic and evocative, and Mr. Carmignola's performance is spectacular. The two concerti by Locatelli that are included here as bonus tracks are also wonderful listens. Highly recommended.

These performances are not just passionate and exciting - they are informed by a deep understanding of stylistic performance practices. These performances are beyond flawless - they are thrilling in their enlightenment. There are moment to moment subtleties, and even a hail to the previous Renaissance era (the bird songs are magnificently rendered within Baroque style). If you think you know these works, you are in for an aural surprise! This is an essential recording on my list. They are so good, they are worth adding to your collection even if you have multiple recordings of The Seasons.

I have four or five other recordings of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, but this one which I first heard on my XM satelite radio in my car, and which when I parked in a store's parking lot, I sat without leaving spellbound, for at least 25 minutes until the entire recording ended. If anyone wants to hear a recording of the Four Seasons garanteeing not to put you to sleep, I can't recommend this one enough. Carmignola strongly reminds me of Pagannini's playing plus the Venice Baroque Orch. is the the most thrilling I have ever listened to. I will definite be looking for other recordings by both of them.
R. Grasso

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!!

I've been listening to various versions of The Four Seasons for more than half my life and Giuliano Carmignola's recording is the one that I've been waiting for, the one that I have sought time and again over the last six years. Breathtaking. Immense. Intelligent. Emotive. Frenetic. This is a 'this-is-what-Vivaldi-should-sound-like' recording. My absolute favourite is the Presto of 'Summer'; the pace is breathtaking, the tonal qualities of the orchestration grand and absorbing. It brings Italian gusto to a clinical digital recording. A must-have for any Vivaldi collection; nay, any classical favs collection. You'll find yourself being a frantic conductor of the orchestra; don't wonder why, just enjoy...

Vivaldi should have dreamt something like this performance.

Carmignola solo violin & the Venice baroque orchestra plays like a virtuoso all together.

I have listened to several Vivaldi interpretation but this one is one of the best. Guliano playing the baroque violin makes it more vivid than ever.

It is a must to have.

This is Vivaldi's Four Seasons performed at their best. The instruments used provide a clearer sound to the music they are playing.

This is one of the best historical recordings of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I wish he had recorded all the twelve concertos from "Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione". I bought some days ago the five Mozart violin concertos by Carmignola and they're great.

About track 4 which is commented by Philippe Charo "fcindk" to have a problem, it has no problem, nor an asmatic player. If Philippe knew something about music, he would know that breathing is something essential in music. In many baroque Treatises and Methods as Quantz, Leopold Mozart and more is commented what important is breathing in music so you can play ok "in tempo" without mistakes. It's useful too when you want to conduct the orchestra while playing and here all splendid players do that as in the baroque time. It's not an error, it's an achievement. And the result is excellent.

This is an only a little example of the reasons that makes this CD one of the best, competing and equaling Biondi's version.

This is one of the best sounding CD and the best Four Seasons I have heard on my Hifi System. Complete involvement of the senses and chills up the spine. A masterpiece.

Listen to track 4, do they have mics under their nose? All I hear is an asmatic player! I may be wrong, judge for yourself.