Search - Antonio Vivaldi, Norman Nelson, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields :: Vivaldi: Concertos

Nice Vivaldi Collection

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 07/16/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This collection of Vivaldi Concertos is an excellent purchase for someone who loves "The Four Seasons" and wants to buy a second Vivaldi CD. Conductor Neville Marriner (not Norman Nelson as is indicated above) and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields turn in first rate performances of these compositions. More serious collectors will be a bit annoyed at this title though for a couple of reasons. First, two of the very same performances of the Concertos featured on this disc appear on other Double Decker CDs of the complete "L'Estro Amonico" and "La Stravaganza." Second, the other four offerings are from a variety of sessions, so why doesn't London/Decca reissue more of this material as Double Decker CDs instead of giving us bits and pieces on this compilation. Reuniting the original sessions would be an altogether more welcome release than this title, which while well played, suffers from an overall lack of cohesion."