Gil Shaham, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra - Vivaldi: Le quattro stagioni (1994)

I think this recording with Gil Shaham and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is one of the finest modern performances of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" I've heard. It should be noted that this is not a HIP performance. The music here is played on modern instruments. Whether you prefer Vivaldi played on period instruments or not is, of course, a matter of taste. I prefer both approaches. I don't condemn either. If the playing and interpretation are great, then I see no reason to complain about what instruments are being used just as long as they at least, in some way, stay true to the score.

This said, all concerti are given sensitive performances. Fans of the famous "Presto" movement from Summer will get a kick out of the way Shaham and Orpheus play this movement. They're absolutely on fire! Shaham and Orpheus are able to navigate through each season with remarkable clarity, rhythmic thrust while at the same time bringing out so much emotion in the music. The audio quality is also excellent. Everything is clear, but the recording also has a warmth to it.

It seems to me, as other reviewers have pointed out, that this particular recording is not a top-choice amongst critics. Why is this? I hear so much enthusiasm and beauty being poured out of each note that it makes me wonder why this performance hasn't been given its due. Whatever the case may be, you will be hard pressed to find a better performance on disc.

If you are more into HIP style performances, then checkout Fabio Biondi's recordings on both the Opus 111 and Virgin Classics label. Also checkout Christopher Hogwood/Academy of Ancient Music on Decca. For another modern recording, besides Shaham's, checkout Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields on Decca. As Doug - Haydn Fan, a fellow Amazon reviewer has stated in one of his reviews for Sarah Chang's Four Seasons recording, if you're at all interested in hearing more Vivaldi, then you have to hear his other concerti like "L'Estro Armonico" and "La Stravaganza." These are fine works that are as passionate as "The Four Seasons." Happy listening!