08.20.2007

diapason: A look at Vivaldi – The Four Seasons op. 8, 1–4

In no. 546 the diapason magazin takes a look at Vivaldi – The Four Seasons performed by Giuliano Carmignola and recorded for DIVOX.

Though incredibly rich and varied, the discography can still be summarized in a few lines: who can rival the mastery and instrumental intelligence of Giuliano Carmignola? His diction – the prerequisite quality – is inordinately precise. And then, the power of song, the purity of sound, a perfect evenness in bowing, a legendary legato, impeccable virtuosity. He first recorded the work for DIVOX in 1992. The dramatic accompainment and diabolical precision of the Sonatori, with one instrument to a part, is breathtaking. It is «the» version to experience the descriptiveness of the piece. But the most beatiful recording is that of 1999 with the Venice Baroque Orchestra under Andrea Marcon. More tenderness than seven years earlier. And, above all, no interpretation presents such concern with naturalness and suppleness, along with a wonderful sense of spatiality. What a distance has been covered since the legendary recording of 1942 by Bernardino Molinari, to whom we owe the first (re-orchestrated!) edition of 1927 … (Extract from article on pages 98–101, magazin no. 549)