The Four Seasons

Antonio Vivaldi

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.'

Felix Ayo /

1959 Modern instruments

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

Salvatore Accardo /

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 /

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 /

1996 Period instruments

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

Nils-Erik Sparf /

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'.