Vivaldi Violin Concertos
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi
Label: Novalis
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: Vinyl
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 150 049-1
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| Concerto for Multiple Instruments |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti grossi, '(L')estro armonico', Movement: No. 10 in B minor, RV580 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Pachelbel, Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni
Label: Classics
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 759563-4
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| Adagio |
Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, Composer
Christopher Warren-Green, Conductor London Chamber Orchestra Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, Composer |
| Canon and Gigue |
Johann Pachelbel, Composer
Johann Pachelbel, Composer |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi
Label: Novalis
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 60
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 150 049-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| Concerto for Multiple Instruments |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti grossi, '(L')estro armonico', Movement: No. 10 in B minor, RV580 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi
Label: Philips
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: Vinyl
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 426 847-1PH
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 5 in E flat, 'La tempesta di mare', RV253 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 6 in C, 'Il piacere', RV108 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi
Label: Philips
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 60
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 426 847-2PH
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 5 in E flat, 'La tempesta di mare', RV253 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 6 in C, 'Il piacere', RV108 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Pachelbel, Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni
Label: Classics
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 56
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 759563-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| Adagio |
Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, Composer
Christopher Warren-Green, Conductor London Chamber Orchestra Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, Composer |
| Canon and Gigue |
Johann Pachelbel, Composer
Johann Pachelbel, Composer |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi
Label: Philips
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 426 847-4PH
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 5 in E flat, 'La tempesta di mare', RV253 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 6 in C, 'Il piacere', RV108 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Federico Agostini, Violin |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Pachelbel, Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni
Label: Classics
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: Vinyl
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 791081-1
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Christopher Warren-Green, Violin London Chamber Orchestra |
| Adagio |
Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, Composer
Christopher Warren-Green, Conductor London Chamber Orchestra Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, Composer |
| Canon and Gigue |
Johann Pachelbel, Composer
Johann Pachelbel, Composer |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi
Label: Philips
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 180
Mastering:
ADD
Catalogue Number: 426 146-2PS3
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Roberto Michelucci, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Roberto Michelucci, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Roberto Michelucci, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Roberto Michelucci, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 10 in B flat, 'La caccia', RV362 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Felix Ayo, Violin |
| Concerto for Multiple Instruments, 'per eco in lontano' |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Franco Tamponi, Conductor Walter Gallozzi, Violin |
| (6) Concerti for Violin and Strings, Movement: No. 2 in E minor, Il favorito (RV277) |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Roberto Michelucci, Violin |
| Concerto for Violin and Strings, '(Il) sospetto' |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Luciano Vicari, Violin |
| Concerto for Violin and Strings, '(L')inquietudine |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Walter Gallozzi, Violin |
| Concerto for Violin and Strings, '(L')amoroso' |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Felix Ayo, Violin |
| (6) Concerti for Flute and Strings |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
(I) Musici Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Severino Gazzelloni, Flute |
Composer or Director: Antonio Vivaldi
Label: Novalis
Magazine Review Date: 9/1990
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 150 049-4
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 1 in E, 'Spring', RV269 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 2 in G minor, 'Summer', RV315 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 3 in F, 'Autumn', RV293 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti for Violin and Strings, '(Il) cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione', Movement: No. 4 in F minor, 'Winter', RV297 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| Concerto for Multiple Instruments |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
| (12) Concerti grossi, '(L')estro armonico', Movement: No. 10 in B minor, RV580 |
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer
Antonio Vivaldi, Composer Berne Camerata Thomas Füri, Violin |
Author: John Duarte
The leader of the Ruritanian People's Orchestra has assured me that he has no plans to record Op. 8 Nos. 1–4, but elsewhere the seasonal precipitation continues unabated, suggesting that the record-buying public in general likes nothing better than the combination of good tunes and a simple programmatic image. How long will it be before recordings of The Four Seasons occupy a whole page of the Gramophone Compact Disc Catalogue and what twentieth-century work will, I wonder, receive so much attention and devotion in later centuries?
It seems that some orchestras become the canvas on which successions of concerto soloists paint their pictures; such are I Musici, who must by now be able to play their way through The Four Seasons and read the day's issue of La Stampa at the same time. Not surprisingly, things have improved since Felix Ayo was their first soloist (twice in succession), followed by Michelucci in 1969 and Pina Carmirelli in 1983, and the trend continues with Agostini. I Musici's sound has become leaner, though it could still afford to lose some weight, their ornaments no longer stand on their heads, and, as younger players may gradually have replaced older ones—complete personnels are not listed—their grasp on baroque style has become firmer. Michelucci's recording has its virtues, but LS found Carmirelli's later (but not yet available on CD) version better (4/83); it is hard to see the logic in reintroducing it into a market-place already teeming with excellent middle-of-the-road versions—and on the heels of Agostini's later one. The issue is expanded to a two-disc set by the inclusion of the seven more 'named' violin concertos and the six Op. 10 Flute Concertos, mostly lacking any other CD version, and this is its principal virtue; for all their grace and polish, they are, however, elderly members of a fleet whose flagship has already been outgunned, as they are also likely to be ere long.
Agostini wields his bow with the utmost delicacy, producing strands of silver in e.g. ''Summer''/II, but with fierce energy in the following movement; between these extremes his sound is firm and bright, with maybe a touch too much vibrato for some tastes. His is above all a passionately dramatic reading, full of dynamic contrasts, and played with great authority. I Musici are sharply honed and so compelling in rhythm that one scarcely notices the replacement of the continuo harpsichord by a chamber organ in ''Autumn''; the former returns in ''Winter'' to add its nasal edge to the icy chill. The overall string sound is a bit beefier than is fashionable, but this remains one of the best versions of its kind. Two more 'named' concertos raise the playing time to a respectable level; both are presented in the same positive, full-blooded-to-sensitive way as their seasonal bedfellows.
Thomas Furi is another fine violinist, a little less generous with his vibrato than Agostini, leaner too in tone and inclined to shrillness in his upper register, passingly prone to play under some notes rather than centre them, but capable of both delicacy and ferocity—his attack in ''Summer''/III is indeed 'furious'. Bern Camerata are lighter and less opulent in sound than I Musici (both are well suited to their respective soloists), and that little fraction less crisply unanimous in ensemble. Altogether, this is a well characterized version, good enough to live with, but not an outstanding one. The three- and four-violin concertos, with their well matched soloists (RV551 has several other CD versions, RV580 has none), extend the playing time most enjoyably.
The booklet proudly announces that the recording by Warren-Green and the LCO attempts ''to bring... a feeling of the moment, the adrenalin of live performance itself''. I may be mistaken, but I never thought the flow of adrenalin to be confined to the concert hall, nor is there anything here that persuades me to change that view. Of course, in a strongly competitive market-place it helps to have an 'ingredient X' in one's product, as Nigel Kennedy's absurd and (absurdly successful) EMI Four Seasons has shown, and the fillers, those baroque workhorses, the Albinoni/Giazotto and Pachelbel, have 'top-twenty' commercial appeal. To come to the main work, the Vivaldi, there is both good news and bad—and I pick here and there, rather than enumerate. In ''Spring'', the birds chirp fetchingly but the dogs sound tranquillized, perhaps hypnotized by Warren-Green's fine-drawn tone and excellent embellishment. There are sharp and effective contrasts in ''Summer''/I, but the deliciously dissonant A flats in bars 63-67 go limply unstressed and the passage starting at bar 116 has little dynamic shape; again, the slow movement is tastefully decorated but the final one is taken at a cracking pace that takes its toll of clarity. At bar 106 of ''Autumn''/III there begins an extraordinary series of thumps, reminiscent of the 'slap-bass' of 1920s jazz. The harpsichordist is 'creative' but sometimes over-busy, as when he takes the chill off the opening of ''Winter'', but in the final Allegro the piping of a chamber organ appears like a rabbit out of a hat at fig. M.
Agostini/I Musici and Furi/Bern Camerata expand the list of recommendable middle-of-the-road versions, both are satisfactorily recorded (with the soloist clearly spotlit) and occupy the balance of their time with worthwhile material, but neither is a clear market leader. Those mysterious sonnets that are so much a part of the Four Seasons are not printed in any of the four booklets, but Novalis do find room in theirs for eight pages of full-colour advertising.'
It seems that some orchestras become the canvas on which successions of concerto soloists paint their pictures; such are I Musici, who must by now be able to play their way through The Four Seasons and read the day's issue of La Stampa at the same time. Not surprisingly, things have improved since Felix Ayo was their first soloist (twice in succession), followed by Michelucci in 1969 and Pina Carmirelli in 1983, and the trend continues with Agostini. I Musici's sound has become leaner, though it could still afford to lose some weight, their ornaments no longer stand on their heads, and, as younger players may gradually have replaced older ones—complete personnels are not listed—their grasp on baroque style has become firmer. Michelucci's recording has its virtues, but LS found Carmirelli's later (but not yet available on CD) version better (4/83); it is hard to see the logic in reintroducing it into a market-place already teeming with excellent middle-of-the-road versions—and on the heels of Agostini's later one. The issue is expanded to a two-disc set by the inclusion of the seven more 'named' violin concertos and the six Op. 10 Flute Concertos, mostly lacking any other CD version, and this is its principal virtue; for all their grace and polish, they are, however, elderly members of a fleet whose flagship has already been outgunned, as they are also likely to be ere long.
Agostini wields his bow with the utmost delicacy, producing strands of silver in e.g. ''Summer''/II, but with fierce energy in the following movement; between these extremes his sound is firm and bright, with maybe a touch too much vibrato for some tastes. His is above all a passionately dramatic reading, full of dynamic contrasts, and played with great authority. I Musici are sharply honed and so compelling in rhythm that one scarcely notices the replacement of the continuo harpsichord by a chamber organ in ''Autumn''; the former returns in ''Winter'' to add its nasal edge to the icy chill. The overall string sound is a bit beefier than is fashionable, but this remains one of the best versions of its kind. Two more 'named' concertos raise the playing time to a respectable level; both are presented in the same positive, full-blooded-to-sensitive way as their seasonal bedfellows.
Thomas Furi is another fine violinist, a little less generous with his vibrato than Agostini, leaner too in tone and inclined to shrillness in his upper register, passingly prone to play under some notes rather than centre them, but capable of both delicacy and ferocity—his attack in ''Summer''/III is indeed 'furious'. Bern Camerata are lighter and less opulent in sound than I Musici (both are well suited to their respective soloists), and that little fraction less crisply unanimous in ensemble. Altogether, this is a well characterized version, good enough to live with, but not an outstanding one. The three- and four-violin concertos, with their well matched soloists (RV551 has several other CD versions, RV580 has none), extend the playing time most enjoyably.
The booklet proudly announces that the recording by Warren-Green and the LCO attempts ''to bring... a feeling of the moment, the adrenalin of live performance itself''. I may be mistaken, but I never thought the flow of adrenalin to be confined to the concert hall, nor is there anything here that persuades me to change that view. Of course, in a strongly competitive market-place it helps to have an 'ingredient X' in one's product, as Nigel Kennedy's absurd and (absurdly successful) EMI Four Seasons has shown, and the fillers, those baroque workhorses, the Albinoni/Giazotto and Pachelbel, have 'top-twenty' commercial appeal. To come to the main work, the Vivaldi, there is both good news and bad—and I pick here and there, rather than enumerate. In ''Spring'', the birds chirp fetchingly but the dogs sound tranquillized, perhaps hypnotized by Warren-Green's fine-drawn tone and excellent embellishment. There are sharp and effective contrasts in ''Summer''/I, but the deliciously dissonant A flats in bars 63-67 go limply unstressed and the passage starting at bar 116 has little dynamic shape; again, the slow movement is tastefully decorated but the final one is taken at a cracking pace that takes its toll of clarity. At bar 106 of ''Autumn''/III there begins an extraordinary series of thumps, reminiscent of the 'slap-bass' of 1920s jazz. The harpsichordist is 'creative' but sometimes over-busy, as when he takes the chill off the opening of ''Winter'', but in the final Allegro the piping of a chamber organ appears like a rabbit out of a hat at fig. M.
Agostini/I Musici and Furi/Bern Camerata expand the list of recommendable middle-of-the-road versions, both are satisfactorily recorded (with the soloist clearly spotlit) and occupy the balance of their time with worthwhile material, but neither is a clear market leader. Those mysterious sonnets that are so much a part of the Four Seasons are not printed in any of the four booklets, but Novalis do find room in theirs for eight pages of full-colour advertising.'
Vivaldi Violin Concertos
Baroque Orchestral Works
Vivaldi Violin Concertos
Vivaldi Four Seasons
Vivaldi Four Seasons
Baroque Orchestral Works
Vivaldi Four Seasons
Baroque Orchestral Works
Vivaldi: Concertos
Vivaldi Violin Concertos
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