Search - Antonio Vivaldi, Amandine Beyer, Gli Incogniti :: Vivaldi: Les Quatre Saisons

New 4 Seasons Leader.

Andrew Judkins | 01/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a widely mentioned truism that the most recorded piece of classical music is Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Whether this is actually true or not, the very idea of such excess is off-putting. What Amandine Beyer and Gli Incogniti do with this recording is fight this notion on two fronts. First, they preform and record the Four Seasons in such a way that you realize there may be a reason, other than ego and excess, that there are so many recordings of this work: these concertos are masterpieces and are very hard to capture in an optimal way. Second, seemingly out of guilt for recording Vivaldi's most famous works again, the disc is filled out with works that are almost unknown. Two of them are recorded for the first time here. This album is a total success--it is one of the best recordings of the Four Seasons ever, and the rare works that fill out the album will have you wondering what took so long.



What makes this recording special? The first factor is the orchestra. It is 'one to a part', which is to say, one solo violin, one first violin, one second violin one viola, one cello, one bass plus continuo (usually harpsichord and theorbe). The liner notes argue convincingly that Vivaldi probably composed the Seasons for an orchestra of virtuosi none bigger than this. But, if you aren't convinced by historical conjecture, the sound of 'one to a part' will convince you. The rustic and expressive elements make this small orchestra ideal for the subject matter. For example, Carmignola's Sony recording of the Seasons is one of the best I've heard but there are a few problems. The interpretation is too polite and not rustic enough and the orchestra is too light in the bass and thin sounding. This recording improves on these elements. Amandine Beyer is fantastic as the soloist. She is a disciple of Carmignola and while her amazing virtuosic gift may not be quite as slick, her more rustic, natural playing is certainly on par with Vivadi's music. Perhaps an overlooked aspect of the Seasons is the orchestra writing. The main failing of the Carmignola recording was on the orchestra side and the engineering of the recording. Here, Gli Incogniti is every bit as dynamic as the soloist--just as Vivaldi intended. Works included are:



Concerto for Two Violins and Cello in G minor RV 578a: This concerto is an early draft and is found in opus 3 as the 2nd concerto. This version is almost archaic and brutish, with a strange disjointed aspect odd for Vivaldi.



Violin Concerto in B flat major, 'per Signora Chiara' RV 372: This concerto is an outstanding work---Vivaldi at the peak of his powers and it is recorded for the first time here. It was written for a star pupil of Vivaldi's at the Pieta, where Vivaldi taught off and on throughout his career. This work is a startling example of the standard of playing reached, not by famous virtuosi of the day, but by his students. The first movement alone is a stunning expressive array of violin playing with a great melody in the orchestra, too.



Violin Concerto in E major 'Spring' RV 269: 'Spring' is Vivaldi's most famous concerto. This performance is much more rustic and energetic than most. It takes on the affability of spring without being bland.



Violin Concerto in G minor 'Summer' RV 325: All the expressive range of this concerto is brought to fruition by the performers. Vivaldi's summer is about tension and release and the musical storytelling on this recording is superb. The finale storm is slightly less severe than in Carmignola's hands.



Violin Concerto in F major 'Autumn' RV 293: Here Vivaldi is at the peak of his rustic qualities. Incogniti and Beyer are up to the challenge, creating a peasant stomp, wild exploits, restless sleep and a wild hunt.



Violin Concerto in F minor 'Winter' RV 297: The 'one to a part' sound shines here, creating an extra chill. The slow movement is taken at a quick tempo and includes a rare ornamented cello line.



Violin Concerto in B minor RV 390: This work is a masterpiece of Vivaldi's late style. There are several notable features. First, is a slow introductory movement to start things. The ritornello theme for the fast movement in mostly taken from a Sinfonia by Vivaldi in B minor; oddly it is the secondary theme in that work. The slow movement has the orchestra playing pizzicato and last movement is surprisingly light-hearted for a work in a minor key.



This recording is fantastic in every aspect and may be the new Four Seasons to beat."