Search - Antonio Vivaldi, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Charlotte Nediger :: Vivaldi: The Four Seasons/Sinfonia "Al Santo Sepolcro"/Concerto Op.3

Robust Four Seasons

Timothy F. Ortlieb | USA | 02/04/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jeanne Lamon and Tafelmusik provide a Four Seasons which is earthier and more rugged than usual. This is not one of those dainty Four Seasons they play as background music in fancy restaurants. The sound here is bright and forward but the musicians achieve atmosphere through their playing. Lamon is anything but a slick virtuoso. She brings out details that I have not heard in other versions. Her playing is never merely pretty and serves to enhance the pictorial aspects of the music. This is a most stimulating and compelling period instruments performance. The Sinfonia and Concerto for Four Violins further improves the value of this disc.



PS (May 13, 2007): I should have rated this five stars!"

...and Yet It's Elegant

Timothy F. Ortlieb | 05/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can find no point of disagreement with the previous two reviewers, but would like to add that the aforementioned discipline translates into a performance that's also elegant and dignified without being the least bit stuffy or stilted. In addition, the liner notes included with Tafelmusik's recordings are invariably readable and informative; I've yet to encounter better (I particularly like the fact that they indicate the level of A on which they calibrate their tuning--generally much lower than our current standard of 440 Hz--a nice touch).
This is one of those done-to-death works that serious collectors must own, although one or two interpretations will probably suffice. The chances that this disk will disappoint are nil; by all means, if you must have only one, this is an ideal choice, although I'd like to mention Venice Baroque Orchestra's wonderful recording. Since I believe that both recordings are available as cutouts and are interpretive poles apart, you really do owe it to yourself to have both--no excuses! You won't regret the very small investment, as it's guaranteed to pay rich dividends."

Vibrant and rugged

Michael Lavocah | Norwich, England | 03/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with Tim Ortlieb's review. This Four Seasons is nothing but dainty: just listen to the Largo from Spring and the combination of musical energy with forward recording will grab your attention. Even so, Lamon and Tafelmusik are always disciplined, which is the question mark hanging over the new recordings of the Italian school such as Enrico Onofri with Il Giardino Armonico, Giuliano Carmignola with the Venice Baroque Orchestra and also Fabio Biondi with L'Europa Galante.
A revelatory recording."