Tír Na HiFi

My final contribution, in terms of recordings, to this thread is....





This is a particular favourite of mine. I particularly like the pure, clear texture of the instruments in this recording; they really speak to you. I also love the pacing, mood and overall feel of the interpretation. The speeds are on the slow side. The musicianship is impeccable from both the orchestra and the soloist but what I really like about this version is the poetry of the interpretation and performance. One can really visualise the scenes that are so vividly painted and the slower speeds in this case really help in portraying these evocative scenes. It comes with a high recommendation.

fergus wrote:My final contribution, in terms of recordings, to this thread is....

You have done a fantastic job and set a very high standard Fergus, well done.

Seán wrote:

fergus wrote:My final contribution, in terms of recordings, to this thread is....

You have done a fantastic job and set a very high standard Fergus, well done.

Thank you Seán; I was just trying to show what was possible with a simple formula for a thread such as this. I hope that the others following in this series will be as well supported as this was. I am very pleased with the result thus far!

Just by way of wrapping up this month’s topic I would like to know if anyone has changed their opinion either way about the Four Seasons as a result of this thread or simply as a result of listening to it more carefully. Has this short journey led you in any different directions? Do people have any final thoughts before we wrap this one up?

fergus wrote:Just by way of wrapping up this month’s topic I would like to know if anyone has changed their opinion either way about the Four Seasons as a result of this thread or simply as a result of listening to it more carefully. Has this short journey led you in any different directions? Do people have any final thoughts before we wrap this one up?

It's not finished yet and you may even change your mind too...........watch this space.

I haven't even started yet!

Diapason wrote:I haven't even started yet!

Typica LOLl!!!

I will be interested to read your comments Simon. The work does polarise opinions but I honestly think that it does bear examination well.

I've done the experiments, just not the write-up!

It's been interesting Fergus, and the most illuminating part for me was seeing the score for the first time.

Diapason wrote:I've done the experiments, just not the write-up!

It's been interesting Fergus, and the most illuminating part for me was seeing the score for the first time.

It's almost chamber music when you see the score, isn't it?

(Can I get your results before you hand up your lab book? I'll change them a bit so they'll never know!)

Ciaran wrote: It's almost chamber music when you see the score, isn't it?

That's exactly it! It's quite shocking, and it makes me wonder why the HIP movement took so long to come round to the idea of using smaller forces. This is NOT music for large orchestras.

Ciaran wrote:(Can I get your results before you hand up your lab book? I'll change them a bit so they'll never know

LOL! It's not the first time I've been asked that question!!