Vivaldi: Four Seasons

[Fran]

Haven't got back t it yet..... been modding some stuff.... in the next day or so!

[Fran]

Haven't got back t it yet..... been modding some stuff.... in the next day or so!

[fergus]

This is my version (recommended by someone on the old Cloney forum - if they're here - thanks)

It's just on in the background as myself and Mrs Sloop have some of that nice Vacqueyras I mentioned in the beverage thread. It "sounds" exceptionally good, a really involving recording.

I shall peruse it later with Fergus' notes and see where that takes me.......


SJB

I have not seen that one before but I do know that Carmignola is a superb violin player. Please do post your thoughts later regarding the performance and interpretation.

[Fran]

I spent a good bit of time with spring and summer this evening - and enjoyable it was too, especially with your notes Fergus!

I think the notes really help to make you listen into the music..... in other words, to put some effort into it. When you draw attention to the repeating motifs, and the structure etc etc it all does make more sense. To answer your question:

I would be interested to know Fran if, after reading my post above, you went back and listened to Spring again, whether or not you got anything new from the music itself? As a self confessed newbie to Classical music do you hear the descriptions or see them in your minds eye?

A) Yes, I definitely got more from it - this is indeed a case of better understanding leading to better listening leading to better enjoyment.

B) I "see" the music in movie terms..... so I imagine a hot afternoon in a movie from Italy and the music is the soundtrack? Or someone sitting at a window and seeing the storms passing by on the landscape?

However, I would say that without the notes/internet backup, I wouldn't have "got" any of that I think.

So I'm going to wait a couple of days, listen a bit more to spring and summer before moving on to the others. On a side note, the notes didn't just benefit me.... the kids loved it and seemed to really get into the story of it.


Fran

[fergus]

On a side note, the notes didn't just benefit me.... the kids loved it and seemed to really get into the story of it.

I am delighted to read that Fran. Children, of course, are very open to such suggestions and I am particularly delighted that they enjoyed it. The simple structure and form of the music and is simple brillance also help in this regard.

[tony]

Ok thanks to Fergus I went back and listened to this again.Being honest it is my favourite piece of classical music.easy to listen to and with the benefit of fergus's notes one can understand what it is all about. Great choice to start with Fergus as it introduces casual classical listeners to the genre and is an easy and enjoyable listen. Had a bit of wine so probably didnt do enough homework but will go back to the notes and listen again.

[fergus]

Cheers Tony. I am glad that you find it a good listen. It is indeed a good place to start for a Classical Music Newbie because it is very accessible once you understand that it is Programme Music and that it does have a series of stories to tell; which adds interest.

In relation to the wine I think that you will find the next installment of the notes to be particularly interesting!!
Continue to enjoy both the wine and the music!!

[Ciaran]

A link to the four sonnets apparently Vivaldi wrote himself which describe the imagery of The Four Seasons. (Texts in Italian and English at the link.)

The first recording I had of The Four Seasons (Loveday, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Marriner)



had them on a a page in the sleeve with the LP. I'm surprised that no other recording I've got since then has included them. It's a while since I had the score out of the library: I think the lines are printed over the music in the appropriate places.

[Seán]

A link to the four sonnets apparently Vivaldi wrote himself which describe the imagery of The Four Seasons.[/url] (Texts in Italian and English at the link.)

The first recording I had of The Four Seasons (Loveday, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Marriner)had them on a a page in the sleeve with the LP. I'm surprised that no other recording I've got since then has included them.

They are included in the notes on the Sarah Chang/Orpheus Chamber Orchestra CD recording:

[bombasticDarren]

...I would be curious to know what other recordings you own.

I have a few....

Alan Loveday/Neville Marriner, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Decca
Christopher Hirons/John Holloway/Alison Bury/Catherine Mackintosh/Christopher Hogwood, The Academy of Ancient Music, L'Oiseau-Lyre
Salvatore Accardo, I Solisti delle Settimane Internazionali di Napoli, Philips
Enrico Onofri/Giovanni Antonini, Il Giardini Armonico, Teldec
Guiliano Carmignola/Andrea Marcon, Venice Baroque Orchestra, Sony Classical
Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante, Virgin Classics

I actually think half of those came from charity shops for a pittance!