Search - Vivaldi, Harnoncourt, Concentus Musicus Wien :: Four Seasons

Harnoncourt's shockingly raw "Le quattro stagioni"

L. Johan Modée | Earth | 10/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Concentus musicus, Vienna, recorded these extremely well-known baroque works in 1977. His interpretation was then received as the most radical ever. In contrast to "authenticist" period group interpretations, such as the well-received Pinnock version on Archiv (Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Le Quattro Stagioni Op 8 Nos 1-4) /Standage * English Concert * Pinnock), Harnoncourt's reading was simply too much for the many Vivaldi lovers, including the critics, who apparently saw these concertos as the ultimate "background" or "elevator" music.



Harnoncourt's interpretations cannot have that function. They are just too raw and, I would say, even too "ugly" for that muzak purpose. Concentus musicus used instruments contemporary with the music, and they play without vibrato. It is far away from what we hear in Pinnock's smooth "authenticist" account, which is just a very conventional interpretation with some extra spice added. The violins cut like razor blades and the basso continuo organ, that Harnoncourt uses, is far more dramatic than the usual cembalo.



Listening to Harnoncourt's interpretation, one may wonder if this really is Vivaldi's "The four seasons". It is painfully raw, without all sorts of "pleasantness". After all, pleasantness is what most people probably associate with this music. Nonetheless, I find Harnoncourt's approach overwhelmingly convincing. It was just what we needed, saving these works from the muzak prison.



Warmly recommended."