Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

One of Anne-Sophie Mutter's most exhilarating recordings, this album marked a fresh approach to Vivaldi's Four Seasons on her part, involving a chamber-sized ensemble, the Trondheim Soloists. Together, they take full account of the work's great variety of pace and colour.

Anne-Sophie Mutter's playing is - as usual - unrivalled. The opening moment of the ‘Spring’ sounds delightful, the ‘Summer’ storm sensational, while in the second movements of the ‘Winter’ the cold, banished by crackling fire, is clearly perceptible. The immaculate tones sound brilliant as usual, and the Trondheim Soloists provide a fine, sometimes barely perceptible accompaniment. The CD is complemented by Tartini's Sonata in G minor, better known as the ‘Devil's Trill Sonata’, a marvellous piece of Baroque violin virtuosity.

 

Tracklisting:

 

Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in E Major, Op. 8, No. 1, RV 269 "La 

Primavera"

1. I. Allegro

2. II. Largo

3. III. Allegro

 

Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in G Minor, Op. 8, No. 2, RV 315 

"L'estate"

4. I. Allegro non molto – Allegro

5. II. Adagio - Presto – Adagio

6. III. Presto

 

Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in F Major, Op. 8, No. 3, RV 293 

"L'autunno"

7. I. Allegro

8. II. Adagio molto

9. III. Allegro

 

Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in F Minor, Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 

"L'inverno"

10.I. Allegro non molto

11.II. Largo

12.III. Allegro

 

Tartini: Sonata for Violin and Continuo in G Minor, B. g5 - "Il trillo del 

diavolo"

13.I. Larghetto affettuoso

14.II. Allegro

15.III. Andante – Allegro

16.IV. Allegro assai