Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Autumn, RV293 (Violin Concerto in F major, Op. 8 No. 3; L'autunno; L'automne)

Containing over 50 concertos and sonatas which effectively trace the first 3 quarters of Vivaldi’s career, this fantastic 9CD box set presents a fitting tribute to one of the most celebrated Baroque composers of the instrumental style.

The collection begins with the Trio Sonatas of Op.1, closely modelled on two sets of chamber (i.e. dance) sonatas by Corelli. Although this former tutor’s voice is discernible, it is Vivaldi’s which is the more distinct, and as we continue onto works such as La Stravaganza – a name which refers to the ‘extravagant’ structural and expressive details scattered throughout the set – and the beautifully crafted violin sonatas of Op.5, a more individual style comes to the fore.

Out of all the works on the recording, however, it is the Four Seasons – an early example of programme music, and Vivaldi’s most famous creation – that demands the highest level of virtuosity from the soloist. Sensitively performed here by the players of I Solisti di Milano, it leads to the affective cello sonatas of Op.12 which conclude the compilation. Rich in strong gestures and memorable phrases, this 9CD collection will provide hours of pleasurable listening and is a must-buy for the Baroque connoisseur.

New booklet note by Vivaldi scholar Michael Talbot.

The term ‘Baroque’ is broadly used in the music world to refer to the period between 1600 and 1750 encompassing composers from Monteverdi and Purcell in the earlier part of the period, to Telemann, Vivaldi, JS Bach and Handel. This 10CD set brings together the greatest musical works written during the Baroque era, forming the definitive Baroque Collection

CD 1: Italian Music of the Seventeenth Century

CD 2: Neopolitan Chamber Music

CD 3: Christmas Concertos

CD 4: Vivaldi Chamber Concertos

CD 5: Vivaldi Double & Triple Concertos

CD 6: Vivaldi Concertos for Lute & Mandolin

CD 7: Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

CD 8: Theatrical Music & Music for the Theatre

CD 9: Baroque Masterpieces

CD 10 & 11: Bach - Brandenburg Concertos

“The IPO has recorded a significant repertoire of masterworks during the years. In this special anniversary tribute album, you can find a representative selection of some of the orchestra's best recordings of the last 50 years. In its 70th anniversary (which is also my 70th birthday), I would like to wish the orchestra and all music lovers many years of great music of the highest possible standard." Zubin Mehta

These important recordings have never before been brought together as a single box.

I Musici founded almost 60 years ago; this set is a fitting tribute to the ensemble that did more than any other to bring Vivaldi’s music to wider attention.

New booklet note by Vivaldi scholar Michael Talbot.

This series of recordings brings together great works from the repertory played by renowned performers. From Bach to Debussy, Vivaldi to Rachmaninoff, as well as more specific areas such as the Medieval mysticism of the Songs of Ecstasy by Hildegard von Bingen (12th century) and the heady rhythms of the waltzes and polkas from the New Year’s Concert, each work is paired with an exceptional artist who left a lasting musical mark on the interpretation of each masterpiece.

Glenn Gould unveils the astonishing cantabile emerging out of the stolid contrapuntal lines of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, in a personal and enthusiastic interpretation, Arthur Rubinstein, peerless in the elegant and unadorned fluidity of Chopin’s Waltzes, renews interpretation of Chopin’s music without sentimentality and mannerism that were previously Chopin’s bedfellows. Charles Munch shows his passion for 20th-century French music through his readings imbued with classical transparency and Pierre Boulez brings a painstakingly refined interpretation of Ravel’s unfalteringly rigorous works to the fore.

The German symphonic repertory features prominently in this record collection, as in all classical collections, represented by several of the most important works in this area. Beethoven’s Fifth and Seventh Symphonies conducted by the energetic Leonard Bernstein. Schubert is also included with his Ninth Symphony “the Great,” conducted with lyricism and sensitivity by Günter Wand, as is Brahms whose First and Third Symphonies are enlivened by Bruno Walter’s very human touch. George Szell breathes life into three of the most significant Mozart symphonies (nos. 35, 39 and 40), bringing out marvellous internal balance with precise phrasing

Among the other benchmark recordings may be cited the eminently dramatic version of the Mozart Requiem by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, the tragic and restrained power of Bach’s Saint Matthew Passion by Gustav Leonhardt, the dynamic thrust of Carmina Burana under Seiji Ozawa or, in a different register, the flamboyant virtuosity of Horowitz in Rachmaninoff, the violin lyricism of Isaac Stern, the fiery temperament of Laurent Korcia or the integrity of Yo-Yo Ma in the Suites for cello by Bach. All these recordings enable the listener to enter on sure footing into the highly personal world of each of the composers, guided by musicians of great integrity and unparalleled artistry.