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Post by MartinT on Sept 12, 2015 8:42:16 GMT
Vivaldi - Four Seasons, Drottningholm Baroque Ensemble, CD BIS CD-275 (perf 1984)  Vivaldi's Four Seasons? Surely we've heard that many times in lifts? Not performed like this, you haven't. Written around 1720, The Four Seasons are the most well published of all classical music and everyone has heard them tinkling away in the background at all the most expensive bars. But have you ever really listened to them? Do not put this on as background music, play it at concert level and prepare for an experience. Of all the versions I have heard, this recording is played by an ensemble who most clearly relish their music. The venue, Petrus Church in Stocksund, Sweden, helps create a real sense of immediacy. The playing is absolutely superb with particular credit going to the violin soloist, Nils-Erik Sparf. The ensemble play wilfully and demonstrate musicianship of the highest order. Most importantly, they make this hackneyed work sound very exciting. The 1984 recording was made on a Sony PCM F1 digital recorder and it easily stands comparison with the latest high bit-rate recordings. Highly vivid but not harsh, the players are well arrayed with Sparf centre stage and very 'up-front'. Dynamics are quite stunning (the storm in Summer, track 4, explodes from a dark background) and the double-basses and organ continuo are caught with more than customary deep underpinning. Detail is very impressive, the sense of the church's acoustic and Sparf's heavy breathing coming through in equal measure. You will never tire of the performance and the recording just keeps getting better the more you upgrade your system. A treasured disc. Wikipedia: Vivaldi Four Seasons
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Post by John on Sept 12, 2015 15:52:53 GMT
I remember hearing this when I came over to hear your system Martin at the time I was shocked by the attack and vitality of the recording I never actually to my shame got it. But I will remedy this
I am listening to it Spotify right now and even on Spotify it still sounds vivid and alive. I will have a few more listens before I vote but guess it could be anywhere from 8 to 10
I used to actually listen to a lot of classical between 18 to 23 but rarely listen these days so nice to come back to something afresh
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 12, 2015 16:43:14 GMT
I would have to concur with everything you say Martin but cannot fully appreciate the recording as it’s a Mac / headphone job for me. But even on my weedy phones I could enjoy some of the ‘air’ and attack of the recording. I bet your Ushers rock the house with this. I am glad you have made me sit down and listen to this work as I’ve never been really drawn to it, purely due to its overexposure. But I entirely see why you rate this so highly - all appears to be perfectly paced and phrased; the violin playing is for sure of the highest order. The only thing that spoilt it for me was being treated to an advert for Justin Bieber’s new tune on Spotify in between tracks!! I’m ‘only’ giving this a 9 as I would need to compare it to some other versions and it’s a shame there is no vinyl offering. One I would like to hear is this interesting directly cut to vinyl version, but it’s on the pricey side naturally - www.analogplanet.com/content/d2d-four-seasons-hits-all-right-notes#32j3Rj0O2OiCZFc3.97Next would be to try and catch a live performance in a suitably atmospheric Baroque setting! |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 12, 2015 16:51:05 GMT
I have that direct cut recording, Jules (it's on the Chasing the Dragon label and I met the engineer at a hi-fi show last year). You'll be welcome to hear them against each other the next time you come round. They are very different performances!
Was the BIS really never released on vinyl?
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 12, 2015 21:10:52 GMT
Ha, you are right old boy - I've found it listed on Discogs ...
It was one of the DMM releases from the mid 80's - weren't those lp's meant to be unbearably bright?
Yes, I would love to hear those two side by side on your system.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 12, 2015 21:15:40 GMT
Some of the EMI DMMs are rather good sounding. Time for you to do what you're good at and scour the listings!
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 13, 2015 9:50:20 GMT
Of course I found one Martin... LOL.
But not going to import from Sweden!
I listened to some Interpreti Veneziani on YouTube - from what I heard they were much 'smoother'... A bit like Italian hifi - almost like the treble is rolled-off a notch or two. Is that what the D2D is like?
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Post by MartinT on Sept 13, 2015 10:05:21 GMT
Yes, smooth (but detailed in terms of acoustic) in performance and interpretation. It doesn't have the excitement for me of the Drottningholm, but still a lovely sound.
I don't think there would be import charges from Sweden and the sender ought to be able to find a cheapish delivery company.
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Post by speedysteve on Sept 13, 2015 10:08:07 GMT
Living in Stockholm at the time I bought this way back then and have passed by the Church where it was recorded .
Nice use of the Church organ for bass accompaniment.
Playing it on 'normal' speakers that roll off early does not really do it justice.
Present company excepted speaker wise:)
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Post by MartinT on Sept 13, 2015 10:15:17 GMT
I'm sure your tapped horns reproduce it very well, Steve  Great that you know the church! |
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Post by speedysteve on Sept 13, 2015 12:45:20 GMT
Yes I have a special bass lift map to make that sort of thing sound just right;)
Works a treat on those bit bass light 60's tracks too:)
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Post by Stratmangler on Sept 14, 2015 9:39:34 GMT
The Tidal link for the album is listen.tidal.com/album/12103427Jerry, you're right about thinking laterally on some searches - with this one I had to take my cue from the album artwork, so the search was the 4 seasons. |
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Post by John on Sept 14, 2015 16:53:49 GMT
I am giving it a 8
Not a 10 as was not willing to pay the £20 quoted on Ebay for it
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Post by Slinger on Sept 15, 2015 15:24:33 GMT
8 from me too. Very good, but not great. I think I'm probably jaded after hearing (and owning) so many different versions of this. For something a little different try the Red Priest recording, or Max Richter's "recomposed" version.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 15, 2015 20:13:30 GMT
The Max Richter is wonderful. However, I think you need to know the original in order to fully appreciate it.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 16, 2015 6:55:26 GMT
The Tidal link for the album is listen.tidal.com/album/12103427Jerry, you're right about thinking laterally on some searches - with this one I had to take my cue from the album artwork, so the search was the 4 seasons.Yep, the indexer(s) on Tidal is a very literal kind of person, with apparently very little knowledge of the music being indexed! 
I could only find one particular album by searching on "Wiener" for the Vienna Phil, as that was how it was spelt in German on the cover art. He didn't even index the conductor!! 
Anyhow, that's a bit of an aside.
Listening now to Sparf's "4 Seasons" (you can find it on Tidal with a "Vivaldi sparf" search, btw).
Yes, very immediate, both in performance interpretation and recording.
I have to confess that I don't share Martin's rabid enthusiasm for this recording, finding it a bit over-excitable. It certainly attracts my attention, but I think Sparf etal are over-compensating for the music's over-familiarity by trying to make it just too vivid. Sparf skitters around a bit for me, at times, on the solo violin. Just showing off, I reckon.  But it is a good'un, nonetheless and I happily award it 8/10.
I prefer somewhat more relaxed and mainstream interpretations, but there are so many recordings, most of which I have not heard that I certainly won't be saying which one I think is "best".
For historical reasons - it was the 1st I ever heard - I love the old recording with Susanne Lautenbacher with Jorg Faerber conducting. The Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra create a massive cascading wall of sound at times that just sweeps me away. And SL was a wonderful violinist. Search Tidal for "Vivaldi lautenbacher".
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Post by MartinT on Sept 16, 2015 8:47:58 GMT
My very first classical record was The Four Seasons with Neville Marriner and the ASMF on Argo. It's still wonderful but sounds a little sweet and tame to my ears now.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 24, 2018 11:23:22 GMT
Being right up to date and on the case.....
I am now listening to this.
Spotty and the system doing well so far.
Never heard classical sound this good
<later>
S good innit
Lots of good stuff going on
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 24, 2018 13:57:34 GMT
Certainly one of the best sounding 4 Seasons if crunching dynamics are your thing!
It's a turbo-charged performance - I love it but I like some of the more subtle performances just as much.
You really need to listen to one performed on original instruments as well Mike - it's almost a different work.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 24, 2018 14:03:50 GMT
Can see it could be turbo. Dynamic for sure
Recommendations please Jules
2nd run through ATM and sounding good.
Makes me think of L'Arpeggiata with original instruments.
Might like it equally.
Certainly like to go back to the beginning
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