Here we go again folks, another version of Vivaldi's
ubiquitous The Four Seasons, this time from the crack Italian
period instrument ensemble Concerto Italiano, under their brilliant
director Rinaldo Alessandrini. The Four Seasons is a wonderfully
inventive and melodic work but if any work has been overexposed
this one has. I believe that there are now over a hundred versions
in the CD catalogue in performances that probably range from panpipes
to bagpipes. I ask myself, as others surely do, is there a need
for yet another version? I suppose it all depends on the version
and this is undoubtedly an excellent one but the competition is
extremely fierce.
I don’t intend to make comparisons with many
of the dozen recommended versions in my collection just against
my own particular digital favourites that are played on original
instruments. The award winning baroque ensemble Concerto Italiano
are in top form here. Interestingly, the ensemble use a different
soloist for each of the four concertos. If you like your Four
Seasons played with varied expression, impressive imagination
and a fiery passion then this recording is worth considering.
My main reservation is with the sound, which
I must point out is exceptionally clear and detailed, but for
me gives a sense of being rather cold and boxy. I can almost smell
the scent of the wood of the instruments and hear the scrape of
horsehair bows on gut strings; perhaps it’s all a touch too much.
Personally I would have preferred a slightly warmer recording
to add to the colouristic palette of the period instruments, to
prevent what can seem a somewhat clinical and astringent impression.
For the continuo support some period ensembles have recently used,
to much acclaim, a robust and varied combination of harpsichord,
organ, theorbo, cello, archlute and baroque guitar. On this Opus111/Naïve
recording, director Rinaldo Alessandrini provides continuo accompaniment
on the organ together with cello and contrabasso support, which
is fine but misses out on achieving richer sonorities. Perhaps
the director’s organ playing could have been more subtle; for
my taste it does rather dominate the proceedings at times.
Most of the heavyweight violin virtuosos such
as Anne Sophie Mutter, Itzhak Perlman, Yehudi Menuhin and Nigel
Kennedy et al have made a recording or two of The Four
Seasons. For many listeners, including myself, it has been
those digital recordings from the new generation of period instrument
performers which have taken centre-stage: namely the Venice Baroque
Orchestra, Europe Galante, Concerto Italiano, Freiburger Barock
Orchester etc.
My premier period instruments recommendation,
for its incredible rapid-fire energy and amazing virtuoso pyrotechnics,
is the wonderfully colourful interpretation by Fabio Biondi as
baroque violin soloist and director of Europe Galante. This on
Virgin Veritas 5 61980 2. Using original manuscripts Biondi’s
recording includes terrific recordings of the remaining eight
concertos from the Opus 8 set; a real bonus for any collector.
A most convincing alternative is the brilliantly imaginative version
from baroque violin soloist Giuliano Carmignola and the Venice
Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Andrea Marcon, on Sony
Classical SK 51352, a recording that just oozes class, controlled
power and sophistication.
This CD of The Four Seasons comes with
a bonus CD 2 called ‘A Portrait’ which I assume is a marketing
tool to publicise other recordings of the director Rinaldo Alessandrini;
some of which are recipients of prestigious European awards. This
is merely a sampler of short extracts, some previously unreleased,
and as the record company have not seen fit to translate the titles
into English, which is all a little unclear, I have seen fit to
spend only a minimum amount of time mentioning it in this review.
Although not my first choice for The Four
Seasons, the Concerto Italiano and Alessandrini, can be justly
proud of their excellent performance and few purchasers will be
disappointed. In short not as exciting as Biondi and Europe Galante
on Virgin Veritas and not as stylish as Carmignola and the Venice
Baroque Orchestra on Sony Classical. Even if you already have
a copy or two of The Four Seasons in your collection, and
who hasn’t, this period instrument release from Opus111/Naïve
release is a refreshing alternative.
Michael Cookson
Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo
Alessandrini