Vivaldi: The Four Seasons/Tartini: The Devil's Trill

This is the second recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Anne-Sophie Mutter. Her first recording, with Herbert von Karajan and the Wiener Philharmoniker, available here ( Vivaldi: The Four Seasons ) was a traditional Romantic version of the work, as can be heard on most recordings with modern instruments (another example is Itzhak Perlman's version with the London Philharmonic -- a classic if you want my opinion). But here, Mutter gives a totally different rendition of the work, that is quite unorthodox compared to other recordings (either on modern or period instruments) but that is totally awesome! For comparison, it is in the same spirit than Biondi's recording of the Four Seasons. The only difference is that Biondi performs on period instruments while the Mutter version is on modern instruments. Nonetheless, they are both an electric version of this work.Mutter's playing technique is obviously at the top, and one can hear that in the fast sections of each concerto. The Summer storm (track 6) is one of the fastest versions I have, although I think Biondi might go slightly faster. You could almost see the performers jump while they're playing, it is hard to find a recording with so much energy. Meanwhile, the slow movements display a big touch of romance; here Anne-Sophie echoes to her past recording with Karajan, focusing on the romanticism of each movement. There is, however, less ornaments than in Biondi's version.The Trondheim Soloists share Mutter's excitement. They all play with such enthusiasm which is hard to find elsewhere. It's a chamber-size ensemble, so we're far from the coloring textures of the Karajan recording. The continuo section includes a cello, a double bass, and a harpsichord -- period. By keeping the size small, the Soloists produce a clearer sound texture, so the listener can hear each part very precisely. This might not be your conventional Four Seasons recording, but it is definitely worth listening to if you want to hear this masterpiece in a totally different way that you're used to. And with Tartini's "Devil's Trill" sonata as a bonus, this is a recording worth getting.NB: if you like lively versions of the Four Seasons, I suggest you take a look at Fabio Biondi's version with the Italian ensemble Europa Galante. It's in the same vein than this Mutter version.  Vivaldi:Le Quattro Stagioni

One of her first albums wad to record the Four Seasons. That recording by a talented young prodigy was good. Now as a mature woman, her take on these concerti brings so much passion and emotion that I suspect the Vivaldi would have been so pleased that he would have been the first to give her a standing ovation. These are not the tired sounding, dollar store interpretations that we've been subjected to since the Victrola days. These are a fresh and insightful take on pieces now easily dismissed. No tired-sounding yawn fest here. But a deeply personal and emotion take on music that is over 300 hundred years old that now have a feeling of modernity and a place in the world of today. Anne-Sofie owns The Four Seasons and make them feel like they are one of the biggest things since sliced bread. Rock on!

Anne-Sophie Mutter, the Valkyrie of the violin, leads heself and a band of Norsemen thrugh Vivaldi to Valhalla.I usually smile when I hear the familiar strains of Vivaldi's "Spring" secton of the four seasons. I listen mostly to jazz and only dabble in classical music. I was only vaguely aware that there were in fact four seansons, not just spring. But listening to Mutter's exciting and passionate rendering of a summer storm completely beguiled me. To trespass into another genre, it totally rocks! And I was drawn into a complete year's worth of seduction from the vixen virtuoso. Each season has its charm and even if you have your own favorite, none are to be missed. That include the fifth season which here is Tartini's contribution. I completely agree with Mutter's assessment that a smallish chamber orchestra like the Norwegian Trondheim Soloist brings out the vitality of Vivaldi better than a large symphony orchesta could.This is music that is so well done that it pull a jazz listener to classical. I was seduced, but not abandoned.

It's easy to get used to listening to near-perfect recordings and performances of The Four Seasons. With so many recordings available, you can have your pick of styles.I remember confidently ordering tickets for a local group's performance of The Four Seasons in Salzburg one summer. How could I go wrong? The performance started off in fine fashion. The soloist was huge, confident, and energetic. The rest of the group was solid and enthusiastic. But after about 12 minutes, the soloist began to come apart at the seams. He couldn't complete the difficult sections in Summer. The group would restart and restart. I was fascinated.I had almost forgotten that experience when I first listened to this recording. Such violin soloist flubs are unknown in the mature Anne-Sophie Mutter's recordings. But I was astonished to find that her supporting cast of Trondheim Soloists (led by Bjarne Fiskum and including soloists Byvind Gimse, and Knut Johannesen) was apparently playing a different piece, and not very well. Ms. Mutter is also credited as conductor. I suspect that she should have scheduled many more practices.The recording also has moments when another take would have been in order.But I learned something valuable from listening to Ms. Mutter soar about the muddled noise: It matters who else is playing with you for The Four Seasons.If you are an Anne-Sophie Mutter fan (as I am), you'll undoubtedly want to listen to this CD. But I think you'll be more pleased if you limit yourself to the first allegro from Spring from The Four Seasons for 3 minutes and 36 seconds during which the Trondheim Soloists perform okay in the Simply Anne-Sophie CD. Good editing choice there.I graded Anne-Sophie's playing as a five, the recording quality as a four, and the Trondheim Soloists as a 1.

As a great admirer of Anne-Sophie Mutter's art, I nevertheless think I detect the occasional touch of Romanticism in her rendition of Vivaldi's Seasons. Strangely enough, that does not put me off and, provided you have other interpretations of The Four Seasons, I would recommend adding this to your collection. Mutter is a true virtuosa.

I do not think that Antonio Vivaldi would recognize this as the piece that he composed several hundred years ago. If he did we would all hear the ground tremor violently as he turned over in his grave! Anne-Sophie Mutter is one of the most gifted and talented violinists in the last fifty years but I guess that she must have been quite pissed when she developed and directed this rather strange rendition. The Four Seasons it is not.

A completely different interpretation to any I have heard before. ASM plays with her normal sensitivity and vigor. The Orchestra plays I. What I can only interpret as bass and woody resonance, which is good,The recording clarity is excellent,

Fantastic!

Servizio Amazon non si discute, consegna velocissima e prodotto rispondente alla descrizione, senza graffi, rotture o altra noia. Il livello artistico di quest'esecuzione è davvero notevole, ed anche l'incisione è ottima. Se amate il genere, è una versione delle 4 stagioni da avere assolutamente.