VIVALDI: Four Seasons 四季

My favorites: (1)Academy of Ancient Music/Hogwood; (2) Drottingham Baroque/Nils-Erik Sparf

Scholars, writers and listeners shall forever debate on the accusation that Vivaldi has written the same music over and over. No matter, the famous Four Seasons show plenty of contrast within the four violin concerti to deserve status as the most beloved classical music of all times, one that even has a wikipedia entry.

The Four Seasons have been played for a long time. While I admire some aspects of the old fashioned way, overall in Baroque music I without second-thought have to give the edge to more recent, Historically Informed Performances. Here I just briefly mention a few of my favorites.

I recently played the Sony version by Giuliano Carmignola to a violinist friend who has steadfastly held on to the "classic" I Musici/Felix Ayo (note that there are other I Musici versions by Carmirelli and Michelucci etc; the Felix Ayo is embedded almost anonymously in the Philips DUO issue) and the (Argo) Academy of St Martins in the Fields/Marriner account. He was immediately taken and, after going through all his holdings, called me in the night, totally excited, and told me this is now champ. The playing of Carmignola is impeccably stylish and the support by the Venice Baroque Orchestra under Andrea Marcon cannot be faulted. The only problem is SONY is sometimes difficult to get. Please note that ANYTHING by this team in Italian Baroque music (not Mozart though, where they are outclassed) is excellent. You can safely acquire all of their Sony issues (Locatelli, Tartini etc) and not regret it. No wonder the entire team is signed up by DG now, and although their CDs shall be more widely available I have to say sonically I much prefer the beautiful recordings of Sony.

Another heavyweight is the stylish modern rendition is by Fabio Biondi, though for me in the long run Carmignola/Sony has just a little more tonal beauty and sophistication. In terms of flamboyance the cracking account on Divox reigns supreme. Many ill-informed audiophiles in HK love to use this somewhat exaggerated recording (and orchestral support) to stupid purpose, but that's the nature of audiophiles! That is unfortunate, as the fine violinst is none other than Carmignola himself! You can safely say he owns this piece!

However, for me, all these are now topped by a recent LP acquisition, an old performance by the Academy of Ancient Music under Hogwood, pictured on the very top. One of the most interesting things about this account is that each concerto is played by a different violinist. The subtle differences in the way they play shall delight connoisseurs as well as scholars. Suffice to say, there's not a bad performance in the lot. Sound is demonstration quality. And, while you are at it, do investigate the same team's excellent Mozart violin concerti (with the excellent Simon Standage).

For those who don't want overdone period style, or hate acerbic/acidic sonority, the BIS account by the Drottingham Baroque Ensemble under Nils-Erik Sparf is well nigh ideal. It is informed, supremely stylish and humane. The recording is exemplary. This is a hughly enjoyable account deserving of wider fame and circulation. This is possibly the version I actually play the most.

One day I shall add more here.