Yes, here we go again
folks! Yet another version of Vivaldi’s
ubiquitous The Four Seasons.
This time it’s a re-release from the
Italian period instrument ensemble Sonatori
de la Gioiosa Marca joined by Giuliano
Carmignola. Carmignola has since recorded
The Four Seasons to significant
acclaim with the Venice Baroque Orchestra
under Andrea Marcon on Sony. This Divox
Antiqua disc has the advantage of the
very same Andrea Marcon on chamber organ.
Sonatori de la Gioiosa
Marca were founded twenty years ago
in Treviso, a city in the Veneto region
known during the Renaissance as ‘Marca
Gioiosa’. Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca
have become one of the most famous authentic
instrument ensembles in Italy. Over
the last ten years they have trail-blazed
the way for the new period instrument
generation that has come to prominence
at the cutting-edge of the late-baroque
scene. These new kids on the block have
successfully ratcheted-up the level
of technical proficiency and interpretative
standards by several notches.
The Four Seasons
are wonderfully inventive and melodic
but if any music has been overexposed
they’re it. I believe that there are
now over one hundred versions in the
catalogue in performances that probably
range from Violin to Panpipes to Bagpipes.
I ask myself, as others surely do, is
there a need for yet another version?
I suppose it all depends on quality
and this version is undoubtedly a fine
one but the competition is exceptionally
fierce. I don’t intend to make difficult
and unnecessary comparisons between
the versions in my collection on modern
instruments against my own particular
favourites played on original instruments;
it’s really down to personal taste.
I would guess that
eight or nine players are being used
in these chamber-scaled performances.
Throughout the allegros are lively,
vigorous and clean. Perhaps a touch
of additional bite and a bolder approach
would have helped on occasions. However,
the temptation to adopt too swift a
tempo is shrewdly avoided. Carmignola’s
superbly virtuosic playing in the opening
allegro of Autumn with
marvellous support from the players
is a highlight. In the central adagio/largo
movements the ensemble perform with
considerable control, offering calmness
and at times an atmosphere of serenity.
I loved the way the expressive playing
from Carmignola provides an air of mystery,
heard to great effect in the central
adagio of Autumn.
In spite of the excellent
playing there is at times a reluctance
from Carmignola to widen his range of
dynamic and there can be insufficient
variation in expression. The passion
just does not fire compared with some
rival versions. The Divox Antiqua engineers
have provided exceptionally dry, cool,
clear and detailed sonics. However I
would have preferred a slightly warmer
ambience to add to the colouristic palette
of the period instruments. This would
have prevented what can come across
clinical and astringent.
Most of the superstar
violin virtuosos such as Anne Sophie
Mutter, Itzhak Perlman, Yehudi Menuhin
and Nigel Kennedy have made a
recording or two of The Four Seasons.
For many listeners it has been those
wonderful digital recordings of The
Four Seasons from the very best
of the new-generation of period instrument
performers that have taken centre-stage;
namely the Venice Baroque Orchestra
with soloist Giuliano Carmignola on
Sony SK 51352, Europe Galante with Fabio
Biondi on Virgin 5-61980-2, Concerto
Italiano with four soloists on Naïve
30363, Freiburger Barockorchester with
Gottfried von der Goltz on Deutsche
Harmonia Mundi DHM 05472-77384-2 and
Il Giardino Armonico with Enrico Onofri
on Teldec 4509-90850-2.
My premier recommendation
on period instruments is the highly
colourful and imaginative performance
from Fabio Biondi as baroque violin
soloist and director of Europe Galante,
on Virgin Veritas 5-61980-2. The Biondi
contains incredible rapid-fire energy
and amazing virtuoso pyrotechnics. The
Virgin recording uses original manuscripts
and the set includes terrific recordings
of the remaining eight concertos from
the Opus 8 set; a real bonus for any
collector. A most convincing period
instrument alternative is the brilliant
version from Carmignola and the Venice
Baroque Orchestra on Sony Classical
SK 51352. Using the 1996 Ricordi critical
edition this is a performance that just
oozes class, controlled power and sophistication.
Using modern instruments
an interpretation that will grace any
collection is the evergreen 1970 recording
played by Alan Loveday with the Academy
of St. Martin in the Fields under Neville
Marriner on Decca Penguin Music Classics
460 613-2 or Decca Legends 466 232-2.
There are two other
Vivaldi scores on this Divox disc. They
serve as ‘fillers’. Both RV 128 and
RV 551 are performed with accomplishment
and affection.
This is a well played
recording but there are many superior
alternatives in the catalogues.
Michael Cookson
Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca/Giuliano Carmignola
(baroque violin) 
for
details
