These separately available volumes containing six each of Vivaldi’s Op 8 (of which Nos 1-4 are of course The Four Seasons) were originally issued together around 2001 in a four-CD package with the composer’s other most famous set of concertos, L’estro armonico, Op 3, and gained well deserved plaudits at the time both for the performances and the recorded sound.

Remaking their acquaintance now is both a treat and a reminder that, even then, under Ottavio Dantone’s stewardship Accademia Bizantina had become one of the best Baroque orchestras among a terrific Italian crop.

Starting then with The Seasons, to my mind few performances succeed so well in striking a balance between the two elements – cimento (harmony) and inventione (fantasy) – established in Vivaldi’s title. So while they linger with the birds in “Spring”, whip up thrilling storms in “Summer” and “Winter”, and enjoy gadding about in “Autumn’s” hunting finale, this is never at the cost of momentum, architectural coherence or refined ensemble. “Winter” opens with an icy blast that will have you reaching for the woollens, but elsewhere there are few ugly sounds, and the silkily gentle pastoral finale of “Spring” has a Botticellian beauty.

These refreshingly intelligent Seasons alone make this a special release, but the other concertos also give enormous pleasure, revealing that these performers can be inspired to interpretations just as detailed and exciting in concertos of more abstract stamp. If soloist Stefano Montanari is not always perfectly in tune, he is committed, imaginative and characterful – hear him tastefully relishing the “oriental” passage in the first movement of Concerto No 11 – while purchasers of the second volume can also look forward to hearing the smooth and lyrical oboe of Paolo Grazzi in Nos 9 and 12. In such delightful ways, this is a Vivaldi release to stand out from the crowd.