The Four Seasons

Antonio Vivaldi

Recordings

Top Choice

Alan Loveday / Sir Neville Marriner / Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

1969 Modern instruments

Gil's prime recommendation. The 'old classic,' 'still sounds very good.' 'Beautiful... ethereal... gorgeous.' A 'perfect interpretation' and the 'best way to be introduced.'

Also Worth Hearing

Felix Ayo / / I Musici

1959 Modern instruments

'Gorgeous. Very passionate music making.' A bit on the slower side, but everyone should hear it.

Salvatore Accardo / / I Solisti delle Settimane Internazionali di Napoli

1987 Modern instruments

'Very lush, very beautiful.' 'A little bit on the cool side, but very ethereal and beautiful and very natural sounding.'

Itzhak Perlman / / London Philharmonic

1976 Modern instruments

The 'star power' version. 'Big band Baroque style,' but 'still is really beautiful,' and Perlman has a 'wonderful sweet tone.'

Simon Standage / Trevor Pinnock / The English Concert

Not specified Period instruments

'Still one of the best.' 'Very full-sounding, very opulent.' 'Not terribly fast... just gorgeous.'

Andrew Manze / Ton Koopman / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra

1993 Period instruments

'Wonderful spirit and energy about it, very exuberant, just a joy to listen to.'

Gottfried von der Goltz / / Freiburg Baroque Orchestra

1996 Period instruments

'A very beautiful version' with a 'nice acoustic.' Hits dramatic spots but also has 'delicate beauty.'

Nils-Erik Sparf / / Drottningholm Baroque Ensemble

1984 Period instruments

A 'minimalist version' with 'simplicity... and a reticence to it.' 'Very beautiful and wonderful virtuosity.'

Giuliano Carmignola / Andrea Marcon / Venice Baroque Orchestra

1999 Period instruments

'This one's on fire.' 'Very fast and assertive and passionate.' May be 'too hard-driven' for some, but 'impressive and invigorating.'

Louis Kaufman / Henry Swoboda / Concert Hall Chamber Orchestra

1947 Historic recording

A pioneering, historic version. Not fast, but has a 'heartfelt earnestness' and 'sense of discovery.' Communicates the music with 'genuine warmheartedness'.