Martins in the Fields or Il giardino harmonico. The problem with that is that Baroque music performances relied on the performance conventions very well known to them but less well known to us, for 'filling in the blanks.' The improvisatory ability of the VPO or BPO performing under a musician of von Karajan's particular training and predisposition is not the same as you would get from, say, The English Consort or I Solisti Veneti or The Academy of St. The only thing they have in common is the notes on the page. If you like von Karajan, you probably won't like HIP (historically informed performances, which use modern instruments and ancient performance techniques so some extent) or OIP (original instruments performances, which use old instruments and performance techniques). Is there a version or conductor that is most recommended? I love Karajan, but I recently read that he 'slaughtered' baroque composers. The closest I've heard at getting it right is the old Munchinger/Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra (Decca/London), who are very good but still come off sounding rather plummy as well as old-fashioned in approach.īetoruizalonso wrote:Hi!! I'm new here and I wanted to know if there's a 'best' recording of The Four Seasons by Vivaldi.

They just don't seem to cut it, no matter who's leading 'em. Still, that CRD version sounded very good to me last time I listened.Īvoid big ensembles in this piece. Both versions feature 'early instruments' but were done before the term HIP was common, so not every element of the performances may comply with current early performance practice. Don't bother with the performance they did for DGG/Arkiv, which I think was done in digital, but which features squealier instrument playing, lower energy and comparatively weak ensemble. They did two versions (maybe more?), one in all analogue sound for the CRD label and released in the US on Vanguard-don't know who (if anyone) released this on CD, but THIS IS THE VERSION YOU WANT.

The same could be said of Marriner/ASMF on early Argo, and the sound is marginally better on that one, but I tend to prefer I Musici's playing. Gorgeous ensemble and execution in every way, including very good recording, but on modern instruments. I Musici's first stereo version on Philips (surely they released it on CD at some point). I'll give you some old-school alternatives:

Best vivaldi four seasons recordings