AudioCircle
Music and Media => The Classical Music Circle => Topic started by: Tyson on 28 Aug 2008, 07:34 am
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OK, so I'm sure you have all heard the Muzak version of Vivaldi (just like you've heard the Muzak version of Mozart and Beethoven), the lifeless, bloodless, compressed, simply awful 4 Seasons rendition in elevators, on hold, in office areas. You would conclude that Vivaldi kinda sucks. And based on that evidence, you would be right.
But there is more to it. Life, passion, intensity, virtuosity, showmanship, all are part of the legacy of the "flaming" red haired Italian priest/composer. I'll keep this one simple - find and buy any/all releases from the Astree/Naive company for Vivaldi performances. It does not matter what you buy, they are all uniformly excellent in performance and in sound quality. And the performers are all Italian - red blooded, hot blooded, mercurial Italians! Buy now, you will thank me later!
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I suggest all NPR/classical radio stations & canned muzak purveyors institute a hiatus playing on any and all Four Seasons recordings for at least four years, it's one overexposed composition. I've often wondered how much I'd have to give to my local NPR pledge drive to get them to agree to stop playing it for a while. :icon_lol:
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The Fabio Biondi / Europa Galante recording of The Four Seasons (Virgin CD) is quite an aggressive and enthusiastic performance of this classic...anyone who has become bored of the typically sterile performances should check this one out, IMHO.
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I also like the il Giordino Armonico version of the Four Seasons, with Enrico Onofri (Teldec CD). Excellent, spirited playing, with the bonus of nice versions of two Vivaldi oboe concertos, RV 454 and 332.
Two of my favorite recordings of non-Four Seasons Vivaldi:
Jordi Savall and Le Concert des Nations playing viola da gamba concertos. Read about it here. (http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Viola-da-Gamba-Concerto/dp/B0000TMJJQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1219935169&sr=1-1) Gorgeous sound quality.
Jonathan Cohen and the King's Consort playing cello concertos. Read about it here. (http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Cello-Concertos/dp/B000FTWABS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1219936124&sr=1-1) Our own mjosef recommended this a couple of years ago, and it's become one of my very favorite classical recordings.
Dave
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Agree with the L'Europa Galante, Il Giardino Armonico, and Le Concert des Nations recos.
Would add the Sparf/Drottingholm Four Seasons on BIS: spirited, with wonderful dramatic "effects" and in great sound.
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I just picked up a boxed set at excellent price
http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Instrumental-Music-Box-Set/dp/B000VZN7JA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1219953025&sr=1-4 (http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Instrumental-Music-Box-Set/dp/B000VZN7JA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1219953025&sr=1-4)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51obLC8fZXL._SS400_.jpg)
Cheers
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I just picked up a boxed set at excellent price
http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Instrumental-Music-Box-Set/dp/B000VZN7JA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1219953025&sr=1-4 (http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Instrumental-Music-Box-Set/dp/B000VZN7JA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1219953025&sr=1-4)
Cheers
That's a steal.
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I agree it's too bad Vivaldi is known mainly for this one work, and usually insipid performances thereof, at that. Just like Handel is known mostly for the Messiah, Tchaikovsky for the 1812 overture and a couple of ballets, etc.
Tony was a TREMENDOUSLY prolific composer. In his capacity as music master for a girls' school in Venice--a gig lasting many years--he was required to write one concerto a month for the highly talented student orchestra. This on top of his church work (masses, motets, etc.) and his freelance commissioned work.
He was really at his best writing for solo instrument with orchestra. Check out his flute concertos, both the Galway and Rampal recordings. La Stravaganza, with Monica Huggett (violin), Chris Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music. The oboe and bassoon concerti. The lute (sometimes played on guitar) and mandolin concerti.
A wide range of his work is available, and it's all worth checking out.
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I love Vivaldi! I picked this up recently. Very nice quality.
http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-Cello-Concertos-Ofra-Harnoy/dp/B000003ER8
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My favorite Four Seasons is from Giuliaro Carmignola and the Venice Baroque Orchestra. They have two other discs of Vivaldi violin concertos that are also outstanding.
Another group, although English is called La Serenissima, plays Vivaldi in the Italian manner. Their leader and soloist is Adrian Chandler. Their series of discs are superb. Concertos and sonatas by Vivaldi and other Italian Baroque composers with some vocal cantatas added for variety sung by Mhairi Lawson. Some of these discs are hard to find, but arkivmusic has most of them. I recommend them all. I also agree that the Naive Vivaldo series is outstanding. I never thought i'd ever get into baroque opera, but I have a couple of the Vivaldi operas on Navie, and enjoy them Also one on Virgin, "Bajazet."
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/albumList.jsp?name_id1=100390&name_role1=4&bcorder=4
http://www.laserenissima.co.uk/
http://www.amazon.com/Antonio-Vivaldi-Concertos-Carmignola-Orchestra/dp/B000051Y3D/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=n
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=vivaldi+operas&x=11&y=17
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OK, so I'm sure you have all heard the Muzak version of Vivaldi (just like you've heard the Muzak version of Mozart and Beethoven), the lifeless, bloodless, compressed, simply awful 4 Seasons rendition in elevators, on hold, in office areas. You would conclude that Vivaldi kinda sucks. And based on that evidence, you would be right.
But there is more to it. Life, passion, intensity, virtuosity, showmanship, all are part of the legacy of the "flaming" red haired Italian priest/composer. I'll keep this one simple - find and buy any/all releases from the Astree/Naive company for Vivaldi performances. It does not matter what you buy, they are all uniformly excellent in performance and in sound quality. And the performers are all Italian - red blooded, hot blooded, mercurial Italians! Buy now, you will thank me later!
We haven't mentioned Mr. V's vocal output. Years ago I picked up an LP of his Nisi Dominus (it's probably still available, on CD perhaps), with Teresa Berganza. Excellent recording. Teresa Berganza is one of my favorite mezzos. Her legato vocals are just super duper. What breathing :drool:!
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Two of my favorites, also I don't have "Four Seasons" on redbook CD so I'll look for Astree/Naive CD.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DK5YAKBML._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Vivaldi: La Stravaganza (http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-La-Stravaganza/dp/B00008IUW2/ref=sr_1_133?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1220316060&sr=1-133)
(http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/170/171406.jpg)
Vivaldi - A Violin Festival (http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1240117/a/Vivaldi+-+A+Violin+Festival.htm)
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I'm a big fan of Jean-Claude Malgoire and the Versailles stableboys in the Stabat Mater - he wrote more than one, I guess? - and Dixit Dominus. Terrific on LP and not bad on CD.
Also Hogwood's gang in the concerto for two cellos - again, there's more than one? - always makes me smile and gives me a lift.
And I'm afraid I've got a soft spot for Karajan and the Berliner boys' non-seasonal concerto recording. Maybe it was the gorgeous pic from Elvira Madigan on the LP cover that sold me all those years ago, but Al Santo Sepolcro, Alla Rustica, Madrigalesco and L'inquietudine still sound lush and lovely, especially with a glass of something appropriate!
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PeteG,
GREAT selection, that is an incredibly good performance by Podger. It is so good that it inspire me to waste a lot of money on her other CDs (none of which even approach this level). Great performance, great recording, good call!
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If you are looking for something just a bit different in Vivaldi, try this one one;
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PEPEF5FHL._SS500_.jpg)
Angel Romero is without question one of the finer guitar players out there and does some interesting interpretations of Vivaldi. The recording quality is quite good too.
The only other Vivaldi I have in Redbook (dual layer SACD actually) is the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ton Koopman with Yo Yo Ma on cello. It is quite good but then again, I'm a big Ma fan.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DRWBDXYNL._SS400_.jpg)
Vivaldi/Ma (http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldis-Amsterdam-Baroque-Orchestra-Koopman/dp/B0001IPBUA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1221311851&sr=1-10)
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I love Vivaldi's lute concertos also. There's a Sony CD with Benjamin Verdery and John Williams, and a Phillips CD featuring the Romeros. All are wonderful performers.
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I know the thread is talking about other Vivaldi pieces, but has anyone heard the Vivaldi Four Seasons from Boston Baroque on Telarc? Comments? Quality?
"Vivaldi: The Four Seasons & Geminiani Concerto Grosso Nos. 4 and 12 (Variations on La Follia) Christina Day Martinson, Martin Pearlman, & Boston Baroque"
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I also love Vivaldi!
One very nice record of Lute playing is Vivaldi Lute Concertos & Trios SLPX 11 978 on Hungaroton with Liszt Ferenc chamber orchestra and Daniel Benko on lute. Though the lute played is not the exact type that would have been around at the time of Vivaldi it is very close. A good recording and very enticing music.
One to avoid. The Club of the 496 on Fone Le Quattro Stagioni limited edition. This fancy audiophile release is RUINED by poor mixing. The violin sounds seperated from the rest of the group and thus makes what is a very accomplished technical pressing false to listen to and I have only played this four times since shelling out like loads of money for it. Wide berth for this one.
P.S If anyone knows of a Japanese pressing of the four seasons played by Yehudi Mehnuin then please let me know cause I think that would sound nice.
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Vivaldi wrote many opera pieces beside oboe concerto etc. When listen to his opera then always with Cecilia Bartoli.
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My favorite Four Seasons is from Giuliaro Carmignola and the Venice Baroque Orchestra. They have two other discs of Vivaldi violin concertos that are also outstanding.
Giuliano Carmignola and Venice Baroque Orchestra is amazing. I love all their Vivaldi recordings.
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I have a lot more Vivaldi than just the "heard in every movie and high class commercial setting" four seasons. Although that is a masterpiece. I also find Brahms is marginalized as well. He had a huge scope of music, not just a lullaby.