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Track Listings
| 1. I. Allegro |
| 2. II. Largo |
| 3. III. Allegro |
| 4. I. Allegro non molto |
| 5. II. Adagio |
| 6. III. Presto |
| 7. I. Allegro |
| 8. II. Adagio molto |
| 9. III. Allegro |
| 10. I. Allegro non molto |
| 11. II. Largo |
| 12. III. Allegro |
| 13. I. Allegro |
| 14. II. Largo |
| 15. III. Allegro |
Product Description
Review
The Four Seasons is such a famous work that it has become too easy to hear them without really listening, so a new recording is a welcome opportunity to take a closer and hopefully fresher look. Sarah Chang's disc comprises of the four concertos which combine to make The Four Seasons, plus Vivaldi's lovely Concerto in G minor, Op.12 No.1.
Despite the work's fame, not everyone will know that The Four Seasons were based on four sonnets to the seasons. It is programmatic music at its most extreme, with the music faithfully following the ideas as they appear, stanza by stanza. Vivaldi probably wrote the sonnets himself, intending them to be performed alongside the music. It is surprising, then, how often this background goes unmentioned when the knowledge is so crucial to properly understanding what is going on in the music. This in mind, it is great to see the sonnets printed in this CD booklet, with a quote from Chang saying how important they are to her interpretation of the concertos. However, that's it - no notes on authorship or on how they relate to the music. If you're going to name the sonnets as essential to understanding these works, you do need to do more than print the texts.
I'm rather ashamed to be griping about mere packaging, but I do think that there was an opportunity here to lead listeners towards a better understanding of Vivaldi's most famous work, and this tantalisingly only does half the job. However, the musical performance more than makes up this. The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra's playing is crisp and zingy, keeping a light touch even through the pounding forte passages. Meanwhile, Chang plays with verve and intelligence. This is not just a musical firework display but a carefully thought-through performance, very evidently drawing inspiration for phrasing and dynamics from the accompanying verses. The Concerto in G Minor rounds off the programme stylishly, making this a disc well worth buying. --Charlotte Gardner
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfection,
This review is from: Four Seasons (Audio CD)
We are all inclined to switch off a bit when we hear familiar pieces of music, but this version of the Four Seasons is a perfection personified.Sarah Chang puts heart and soul into this fantastic recording, and the only way this performance can be beaten is to see her live. This is the 4th recording of the Four Seasons I now own, and this is by far the best. Buy it: you will not be disappointed.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Splendid Vivaldi Four Seasons From Sarah Chang and Orpheus,
By
This review is from: Four Seasons (Audio CD)
Having seen in May a resounding performance of this work by Sarah Chang and Orpheus at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium, I knew already that this would be a fine recording. It is quite simply, one of the very best performances of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" that I have heard either live or in recordings. Chang and Orpheus play these venerable concerti as though they were all members of the same ensemble. While Chang has ample opportunities to show her ebullient personality in her solos, she doesn't try to steer the performance in her direction, performing as if she was a long-time member of Orpheus. Her technically proficient playing is quite fluid, but still one replete with ample emotional richness. Of the recent recordings of the "Four Seasons" that I am aware of, Chang's comes closest to Mutter's with respect to audio sound quality and musicianship.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vivaldi: Four Seasons,
This review is from: Four Seasons (Audio CD)
The whole of the Four Seasons from one of the best violinists around. I really like this interpretation of the suite presented on a very good quality recording from the EMI stable. Highly recommended even if you already have another version of the Four Seasons in your collection. Usual excellent service from Amazon makes this a good buy from this seller.
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