The New Four Seasons - Vivaldi Recomposed[LP]

The vinyl pressing is excellent and what an incredible re-imagining of a classic. I own the traditional Nigel Kennedy version and then this one. Two different moods altogether and LOVE them both. Richter is a modern master and I am ever in awe. Best purchase in a long time!

Over the years, I've really come to love the 2012 version of Richter's take on Vivaldi's "Four Seasons." While this one is quite good, it falls just a bit shy of the original -- for me, at least -- in some important respects.First, a few things I liked:- This wasn't an attempt to duplicate the original. The players' interpretations are markedly different, and nowhere is the difference more striking than the contrast between Elena Urioste's playing on the present set and Daniel Hope's playing on the original. While I adore Hope's playing, Urioste's style is less staid, more passionate, and a joy to listen to.- I also liked that the arrangements, similarly, are different in places. How much of this comes down to revisions from Richter, and how much from the ensemble, I'm not sure, but it brings new dimensions to the piece.- The fact that the ensemble is young, diverse, and talented helps, too. It's a welcome change seeing some new blood, especially when they're this good, and I'll be seeking out more from Chineke! Orchestra sooner rather than later.I did say there were some negatives. Let's take those up.- Pacing: This version clocks in nearly four minutes shorter than the original. While there are places where the more brisk approach is welcome, in other cases it's like sitting down to a lovely meal but your waiter is looking at their watch every couple of minutes, rushing you along. I wouldn't have expected an identical length, but I would've welcomed the opportunity to savor this.- Recording: Much has been made of the fact that Chineke! plays on period instruments (and even Richter got into the spirit of things, using a vintage Moog synth). I will admit to not having heard enough of period-correct instrumentation to really be able to identify the differences, but I'm also not sure that the recording serves them well. Especially in "Spring 1" and a few of the other passages with wider dynamic and timbral range, there's a sort of distant sound, with parts of the ensemble seeming farther away. I'm not sure if this comes down to how the ensemble is mic'ed up, or if it's something in the mix, but it does get a bit distracting, especially since the treble is often especially pronounced.- Recording, again: Likewise, the room atmospherics are inconsistent, with some parts having more of a "hall" kind of reverb, while others sound a bit warmer and more intimate. I'm not sure if this was recorded all in one go -- in a way, I'd be surprised if it was -- but it certainly doesn't sound like it.So what's the verdict? If you have the original, this is more than a worthy companion piece. If you don't have the original, or this one, really, what are you waiting for? Unlike many of the other pieces in DG's "Recomposed" series, I always felt that this one did a better job than most* of taking the "recomposition" part to heart, proving to be a seamless blend of classical and modern. It breathes new life into an old warhorse.The interpretations are different enough that both versions are well worth having; my gripes with the present edition (and the reason I deducted a star) ultimately have more to do with the production and engineering than they do with the musicianship, which ranges from very sublime to incandescent throughout.*The other exception being "Recomposed by Peter Gregson: Bach - The Cello Suites," which I also thoroughly enjoyed.

I felt like his 2012 version of this was one of the best things I’d ever heard. I love this newer version. It is different, a bit more enjoyable even. Beautiful music that is a must have for any music collection.

Max Richters music has never ceased to amaze me. As someone who’s enjoyed his first Four Seasons rendition years ago- this second one will not disappoint! It’s beautiful, expansive and heavenly. If you get a chance to see him live- do it!

i love this album

If you believe that there are other forms to play, listen and feel music , you should buy it!

An unruly barnyard cacophony of shrieking chicken violins, mired in muddy Moog. As an admirer of the REAL Le Quattro Stagioni, I find this to be a totally offensive hodge podge of dissonance, at once jarring and grating. More suitable for a remake of the movie Psycho. It is an insult to my senses.

Nothing like the original. Weak performance by amateurs. Disappointing that Max Richter and Publishers allowed this project to go forward and be published with their usual stamp of quality.

Este clásico reinventado es un deleite para tus oídos

A écouter en boucle.Le premier album des 4 saisons recomposées de Vivaldi par Max Richter était l’enregistrement d’un concert, de mémoire.La, il s’agit d’un enregistrement studio.La différence est notable et le son est (mais c’est subjectif) bien meilleur.

Wow, what an addition to my vinyl collection, Vivaldi as you've never heard before,tremendous!

Une nouvelle recomposition réussie dix après la première, on y retrouve les partis pris du précédent mais travaillés de manière plus "bachienne", avec moins d'électronique

Blew my sockets off. Is it better than the original? Who cares there’s room for both versions, love them both