Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0724355625328 Label: EMI Classics Manufacturer: EMI Classics Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: EMI Classics Release Date: 1997-05-08 Running Time: 41 Studio: EMI Classics
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Editorial Reviews: What is left to be said, musically, about a work that features on around a hundred recordings in the current UK catalogue alone? In explaining that he has not been "seduced" by the "authentic" movement, Kennedy notes, "In my opinion, if a piece of music belongs only to the time in which it was written, it should not be played today". Thus his approach draws on the entire tradition of violin playing: "Once I've established an instinctive relationship with the music, I need to use every technique I know to communicate that to the listener". Communicate Nigel Kennedy certainly does, bringing a fresh eye to a work over-familiarity has consigned to background music. His "Adagio Molto" from Concerto No. 3 opens with an extraordinary spectral bowing effect, while the following "Allegro" has a zestful percussive snap. His tempos are faster, his rhythms more accentuated and dynamic, his playing more vigorous and involved than we are used to. The effect is startling and exhilarating, making this a Four Seasons to be listened to. Putting the solo instrument once more to the fore, Nigel Kennedy has done us a great service, reminding us that these truly are fine concertos, bringing this vibrant music once more to our attention. --Gary S. Dalkin
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: The Classical rebel ! Comment: I am constantly playing this in the car because I love it so much, other recordings are good but this is just a little bit different, in the Allegro movement of Spring if you listen to the bit before the whole violin and viola section thunders it's way to the tumultuous tweeting solo, you will notice that Nigel bow's 4 times in quick succession instead of the usual 2, the cadenza allows for this and Nigel exploited it with typical panache. It's good to see him back in the limelight once more with his new recording, now lives in Krakow with his Polish missus. Customer Rating: Summary: So polished that it is hairless and tasteless Comment: Antonio Vivaldi was a priest, what's more a red-haired one, i.e. quite a marginal in this field of non-religious music, and his music was mostly composed for the orchestra of a young girls' religious school. And yet he is sublime to the most extreme point with conception, with understanding, with passionate comprehension. So that the English Chamber Orchestra here is by far too massive and muscular to satisfy the desire that makes us crave for finesse, delicacy, hues, nuances, shades, etc. And the only shades are those the musicians put over their eyes to impose a filter onto the music, the filter of technical perfection to the expense of emotional expressivity. So these Four Seasons are just perfect, well read, but they are rendered homogeneously, Easter in December and July in Winter. And that is of course regrettable. A little bit more personal temperament would give this music a charm it cannot have when the temper of perfection is trying to make it absolutely right. I would have preferred the vision of an erring pilgrim through the four seasons of his pilgrimage to that of a trip down the road in a vehicle that is so well pruned that nothing protrudes at all anywhere. Could we speak of aerodynamic music? Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines Customer Rating: Summary: Amazing - What would Vivaldi say! Comment: Amazing - was my first thoughts. I couldn't help wondering what Vivaldi would make of it, if he were sitting here with me in front of my stereo. Some 372 years later, his music vapourising in front of us as if by magic. I believe he would be incredibly exited as this music really comes to life and the playing is inspired. He would be particularly exited by 'Autumn' and 'Winter' where modern playing techniques have accentuated the contrasts in this fantastic collection. He wouldn't be amazed because of the stereo, sound quality; or because of any other external influence supplied by his host - He would be captivated by the playing... Customer Rating: Summary: Leave the music alone Comment: There is much fine playing here but sadly a great deal of exaggeration and horrible ornanmentation. I hated it and gave my copy away . Try Mutter for a fresh modern approach that is more about the music than the performer or Tafelmusik on period instruments. As far as Kennedy is concerned his recent Bach CD is fabulous and makes this seem like a phase he was going through! Customer Rating: Summary: Simply the best rendition I've heard. Comment: Simply one of the best renditions of any piece of music I've ever heard. Timeless. I am buying another copy because my cassette tape wore out long ago. Once you hear Kennedy's version, the rest just cannot compare for techincal brilliance and inspiration. More Reviews