Vivaldi: The Four SeasonsReviews: Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0886971101324 Label: SONY CLASSICS Manufacturer: SONY CLASSICS MPN: 711013 Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: SONY CLASSICS Release Date: September 02, 2008 Studio: SONY CLASSICS Rating:  - Wow!Wow! I have bought 4 other versions of The Four Seasons, looking for, to my taste, the definitive version. This is it! The subtelty, nuance and pacing of Bell's version is perfect. That is where other versions fall down. I attended concerts by Joshua last year at the Disney Hall where he played the four Seasons and was mesmerized. Now it is available. Rating:  - Bell is a Great Fiddler...... but why would he perform and market something so awkward and inappropriate to his technique? Might it be filthy lucre that he's expecting from another performance of Vivaldi's most overworked evocative masterpiece? For a fiddler with plenty of flair in his bow, Bell takes most of the tempi lumpishly slow - over 10% slower than most baroque violinists on recordings, of which there are dozens - and he seems to equate baroque style with odd exaggerations and specials effects. In short, this isn't even close to the top of the list of best performances of Vivaldi; number one, if anyone is willing to take my recommendation, is that of Fabio Biondi with the ensemble Europa Galante. "The Four Seasons" is the first disk of two in Biondi's generous recording of the whole of Vivaldi's Il Cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione, available on the Virgin Veritas label. If you want to hear Bell play well, listen to "The Red Violin," muisc by American composer John Corigliano. And now for a wish list of anachronisms. How about: 1. Death of a Salesman staged in a Roman forum, with the actors in togas. 2. A remake of Rocky I in colonial Philadelphia, with John Dickinson replacing Apollo Creed and Ben Franklin played by Sly Stallone. 3. The Ring of the Nibelung reorchestrated to match the verve of Sweeny Todd. All of which would sound about as plausible as Bell playing Vivaldi. Rating: - LukewarmWhile there's no doubt Joshua Bell is a fine violin player, his interpretation of this work feels awkward at times. His rhythm is occasionally off, and his dynamics are too exaggerated - though his pitch is almost always right on. His emotive style is much better suited for more Romantic pieces, and anyone who's listening for a good baroque interpretation of the Four Seasons would likely be disappointed. Rating: - Exquisite performance, Beautiful packagingWhether you're a Joshua Bell fan, a Four Seasons fan, or just a classical music lover, this CD is a MUST BUY. I'm not a musician or an expert of any kind in the field of music just a lover of beautiful classical music. This recording of The Four Seasons is absolutely beautiful and a delight to listen to. I don't even own any other recordings of TFS in it's entirety because it always seemed a little boring to me in parts. There is just something about Joshua's playing on that Stradivarius that is so incredible that my untrained ear can usually tell his playing on the classical music station I listen to even if they don't announce that it's him. The artistry on this CD of both Joshua and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is top notch. They actually toured with this program for quite a while before they recorded it, so they had time to perfect it. The second thing about this edition is the packaging--it's brilliant and absolutely beautiful. It's a trifold case with gorgeous photography and artwork, including a double-sided small poster which has a photo of Joshua on one side and the other side is another photo and a 2009 calendar. Also included are four seasonal cards which contain a seasonal photo on one side and poetry to accompany the season on the other side. They're so gorgeous they're worth framing. If you're a Joshua fan and own an iPod, there is also a short video of him playing a selection from this CD that is available on iTunes for download. Rating: - Superb 'Crossing-over' from Romantic to BaroqueJoshua Bell is predominantly adept at romantic repertoire. It sounds a bit surprising that it was only after 20 odd years that this amazing virtuoso tries his hand at the Italian Baroque composers. Well, the wait is fully justified. In the amazing hands of Joshua Bell, Vivaldi's Concerti for violin and orchestra "The Four Seasons" and Tartini's g minor violin sonata "The Devil's Trill" receive superbly articulate and novelly musical treatments. The most interestingly outstanding piece is the last track embodying Tartini's g minor sonata. While many virtuoso violinists love to record this piece of showmanship, Bell's rendition is of a level that is difficult to surpass in terms of finesse as well as originality. Much credit also goes to Constable's basso continuo accompaniment on the harpsichord. Without the intrusive sound that normally comes from pianoforte's in this part of the piece, the solo violin is able to bring out to the full the score's unique demands on the instrument. It is highly interesting to hear how Joshua Bell is able to manipulate the various virtuoso passages with stunning technique and incomparable balance, topped by continuous beauty of tone in fully harmonious outputs throughout. Even the 'Devil' sounds truly mellifuous. The earlier tracks on The Four Seasons are a real gem to own on top of the various illustrious renditions of this well-known set. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons ReviewsMore reviews:Buy Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Sale Reviews Deals
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
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