This CD is reissued by ArkivMusic.
Notes and Editorial Reviews
There are already enough period-instrument versions of the Four Seasons to make the choice of a clear leader a headache that no reviewer would want. I will, however, venture to say that this is one of the very best, valid for a lifetime of pleasure. Little differences in attention to detail soon begin to show, first at 0'17'' of the first movement of “Spring”, where the chords that are usually hit hard are here given a happy little squeeze. Amsterdam Baroque (consisting here of 13 instrumentalists) play with the unanimity of one mind and body, with extreme changes of volume that never sound theatrically contrived, as concerned with the fate of every note as with the shaping of each phrase.
Manze’s bow breathes vocal life into
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his strings; in the slow movements many notes whisper their way into being, and his fortissimo whiplashes have rasp-free edges. There are many delightful little personal touches – his slurred resolution of the sighing appoggiatura at 2'50'' in the third movement of “Spring”, and the way he nudges his way up the ladder of trills in the first movement of “Autumn” are just two. The remaining works come from Op. 7, in the first of which (RV465) the oboe is the designated soloist; its transcribed role in No. 5 (RV285a) accords with baroque practice. Both are charming works with a high level of inspiration, played with no less affection than the Seasons. If this record does not feature in my “Critics’ choice” this will indeed have been a year to remember.
John Duarte, Gramophone [8/1996]
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Works on This Recording
1.
Concerto for Violin in E major, Op. 8 no 1/RV 269 "Primavera" by Antonio Vivaldi
Performer:
Andrew Manze (Violin)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: circa 1725; Venice, Italy
Length: 9 Minutes 20 Secs.
2.
Concerto for Violin in G minor, Op. 8 no 2/RV 315 "L'estate" by Antonio Vivaldi
Performer:
Andrew Manze (Violin)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: 1725; Venice, Italy
Length: 10 Minutes 5 Secs.
3.
Concerto for Violin in F major, Op. 8 no 3/RV 293 "L'autunno" by Antonio Vivaldi
Performer:
Andrew Manze (Violin)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: 1725; Venice, Italy
Length: 11 Minutes 25 Secs.
4.
Concerto for Violin in F minor, Op. 8 no 4/RV 297 "L'inverno" by Antonio Vivaldi
Performer:
Andrew Manze (Violin)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: 1725; Venice, Italy
Length: 8 Minutes 53 Secs.
5.
Concerto for Oboe in A minor, RV 461 by Antonio Vivaldi
Performer:
Marcel Ponseele (Oboe)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: Venice, Italy
Length: 8 Minutes 49 Secs.
6.
Concerto for Oboe in D minor, Op. 8 no 9/RV 454 by Antonio Vivaldi
Performer:
Marcel Ponseele (Oboe)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: Venice, Italy
Length: 7 Minutes 57 Secs.
7.
Concertos (4) for Violin, Op. 8 no 1-4 "Four seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi
Performer:
Andrew Manze (Violin)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: 1725; Venice, Italy
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