Vivaldi: The Four Seasons short reviews.

Discussion in 'Music and Recordings' started by wnmnkh, Oct 7, 2015.

  1. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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  2. wnmnkh

    wnmnkh Friend

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    I have been too busy to write reviews and post album arts for a while.

    For a update, I have received Giardino Armonico from different source... but then, suddenly, supposed to be 'lost' one also magically appeared and both of them were in my mailbox.

    I do have another duplicate on another the Four Seasons album. I am thinking about giveaway event or something.
     
  3. wnmnkh

    wnmnkh Friend

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    Finally some reviews coming out!

    cover.jpg
    (Unfortunately no high-quality cover exists for this album. It was never released as a CD album unless I am mistaken)
    19. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
    Label : Magnatune
    Lead violinist : Elizabeth Blumenstock
    Conductor(director) : N/A
    Ensemble/Orchestra : American Baroque
    Setting : Ensemble
    Instruments : Unusual (rather wind instruments heavy. It's specially arranged)
    Recording/release year : 2004
    Recording type : DDD
    Medium : In different file formats.
    Recording quality : 9/10
    Availability : Magnatune exclusive, but it seems you can download mp3 files from major websites.... though lossless are only available at Magnatune.
    Overall Score : 8/10 (give a listen)


    This is probably the most delicate sounding The Four Seasons. However, the overall sound is just too thin and lacking body overall to be better.

    It is such a high contrast to the one done by Federico Guglielmo and L'Arte dell'Arco (very first reviewed here), which both have delicate sounding and strength altogether.

    Still, it is very unusual and unique arrangement that I feel very refreshing when I listen to it. It doesn't hurt to try this album.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2015
  4. wnmnkh

    wnmnkh Friend

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    folder1.jpg
    (click the image to save the original file. Compression factor is 30)
    20. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Albinoni: Adagio in G; Corelli: Concerto Grosso in G
    Label : DG
    Lead violinist : Michel Schwalbé
    Conductor(director) : Herbert von Karajan
    Ensemble/Orchestra : Berliner Philharmoniker
    Setting : Large Orchestra
    Instruments : Modern instruments
    Recording/release year : 1970/1972
    Recording type : ADD
    Medium : Redbook
    Recording quality : 7/10
    Availability : easily obtainable via Amazon and other big sites.
    Overall Score : 8.5/10

    Not many people know Karajan made two The Four Seasons recording. One during his 2nd~3rd Beethoven cycle, and other later one is done during his digital 4th Beethoven cycle.

    Unlike many other people, I vastly prefer his last Beethoven cycle rather than his 2nd (the 1960s one) cycle, since it is far more refined than his other earlier recordings.

    Same for his The Four Seasons recordings... except I think the rawness of his earlier style actually benefits more for The Four Seasons. Thus, this is my preferred recording.

    Karajan had incredible ability to make a large orchestra sounding like a small ensemble when he conducted emsemble music.... but you can still feel the size of orchestra playing this recording.

    Playstyle-wise, this is a typical slow moving modern style performance.
     
  5. wnmnkh

    wnmnkh Friend

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    folder.jpg
    (click the image to save the original file. Supplied by the label)
    21. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Le Quattro Stagioni
    Label : DG
    Lead violinist : Anne-Sophie Mutter
    Conductor(director) : Herbert von Karajan
    Ensemble/Orchestra : Berliner Philharmoniker
    Setting : Large Orchestra
    Instruments : Modern instruments
    Recording/release year : 1984
    Recording type : DDD
    Medium : Redbook
    Recording quality : 9.5/10
    Availability : easily obtainable via Amazon and other big sites.
    Overall Score : 8/10

    Annnnd this is the second recording. One of few real DDD Karajan recordings. Lead violinist is famous Anne-Sophie Mutter, who was deeply supported by Karajan himself.

    Compared to the first recording, the sound is far more delicate, and more.... oily.
     

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