Antonio VIVALDI (1658-1741)

The Four Seasons Concerto in E major, op.8 no.1 RV269 "La primavera" (Spring) Concerto in G minor, op.8 no.2 RV315 "L'estate" (Summer) Concerto in F major, op.8 no.3 RV293 "L'autunno" (Autumn) Concerto in F minor, op.8 no.4 RV297 "L'inverno" (Winter) Coupled with... Concerto in C major, op.8 no.6 RV180 "Il piacere" (Pleasure) Concerto in E flat major, op.8 no.5 RV253 "La tempesta di mare" (Seastorm) Concerto in F major, op.8, no.8 "La caccia" (The Chase) Piero Toso violin I Solisti Veneti conducted by Claudio Scimone

ERATO Collection (Baroque Vol.14) 4509-99666
[67:43] mid-price

Sonnets not included.

by René Chia

I Solisti Veneti is one of the most famous orchestras from Italy. Led by Claudio Scimone, they have made many important and pioneering recordings on Erato. Their style, evident from their performance here last year, entitled "Images of Italy", is assuredly and confidently Italian and speak of years and years of experience, just like this CD.

The introduction to Spring is a bit too fast, and even for a modern style interpretation, the lack of rhythmic accent makes the music too smooth for me. I Solisti Veneti are very flexible with tempo. For example, in the beginning, Spring seems to whoosh by, while slower speeds are taken later. They sound as if they are not bowing but rather gliding along because you don't seem to hear any sharp "edges". Spring II is beautifully slow, with a lot of tenderness. This is one of the better renditions of this movement that I've heard so far. Woofing wearily, the dog seems unwilling to wake up its master. Spring III - the soloist's trills are very light and everything follows in this mood.

Once again, the introduction to Summer is surprisingly fast. The soloist, Piero Toso is excellent, every note assured and clear. During the fast tutti sections, the orchestra's notes also remain discernible and neat. They do not sound over-disciplined but play with a familiarity that comes with experience (the recording was made in 1973). In the middle movement, Toso's originality and innovativeness in his interpretation is very impressive. Although the original melody has been completely transformed, it remains recognizable if you listen hard enough. Someone unfamiliar with the work might not realize this is from The Four Seasons though. The tail ends of some phrases in the final movement, not often heard in other interpretations, are distinctly audible.

Autumn begins light, carefree and joyful. Autumn II is a more or less conventional interpretation which should satisfy most listeners. "The Hunt" is given a nice start and followed by a mad rush of strings. Drastic changes of tempi abound here - like the hunters are taking their own sweet time while the fox is running frantically. The modern interpretation clearly de-emphasizes the rhythmic bounce of the music as interpreted by period orchestras. But whether you like this or not is a matter of taste.

In the first movement of Winter, the strings in the middle produce a convincing portrayal of the winds. Again the long and smooth (legato) playing robs the music of some of its rhythmic drive. But even in such an overwhelming and windy environment, the buffeted soloist remains unfazed.

The "Winter Largo" has a very audible pizzicato accompaniment which is very satisfying. The cello continuo has an elasticky bounce which sounds positively fun. Toso's rendition is very mellow and warm. He plays with a beautiful lilt and with a heartwrenching vibrato that is incredibly passionate. A guitar, which until now has remained mostly inaudible, decorates the score. This is one of my favourite "Winter Largo"s. [Mine too! - Ed.] In the last movement, the crisp and clear recording even allows one to hear the turning of score pages and bows hitting the stand! Remember, this recording was made in the 70s! This is a Winter that is not harsh, which ends better than the beginning of Spring. If that's the way I Solisti Veneti plays it, I would rather have Winter last forever and Spring never begin.

Overall, I Solisti Veneti play with great skill and beautiful tone. Lots of originality and creativity, especially on the part of the soloist. As mentioned, Piero Toso plays everything with a graceful sense of lilt. The whole CD is a great investment not only for the Seasons but for the rest of the programme. Only meagre notes in French are provided for the CD, which comes in a plastic Digipak. This is also available on a 2-CD Ultima reissue which is, unfortunately, badly remastered.

Manze/Amsterdam Baroque Earthbeat! Ensemble Guidantus Amsterdam Guitar Trio Harp Consort (DHM) Sirbu/I Musici (Philips) Accardo/Soli di Napoli (Philips) Nishizaki/Capella Istropolitana (Naxos) Lamon/Tafelmusik (Sony) Toso/I Solist Veneti (Erato) Warren-Green/LCO (Virgin)

V I V A L D I Four Seasons A Year The Four Seasons Sonnets Inktroduction to Vivaldi Inktroduction to the Four Seasons

This disc is available at or can be ordered from Tower (Pacific Plaza & Suntec City), HMV (The Heeren), Sing Discs (Raffles City) or Borders (Wheelock Place).

René Chia thinks that boy bands should be tarred, feathered, boiled in hot oil and have their egos nicely flattened by a steam roller.

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131: 8.1.98. up.12.6.1999 ©René Chia

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