Track Listing

1. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: La Primav
2. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: La Primav
3. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: La Primav
4. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'estate:
5. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'estate:
6. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'estate:
7. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'autunno
8. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'autunno
9. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'autunno
10. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'inverno
11. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'inverno
12. The Four Seasons (Il quattro stagione), concertos (4) for violin, strings & continuo ('Il cimento' Nos. 1-4) , Op. 8/1 - 4: L'inverno
13. Violin Concerto in the style of Vivaldi in C major
14. Violin Concerto in the style of Vivaldi in C major
15. Violin Concerto in the style of Vivaldi in C major

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38798 in Music
• Released on: 1995-02-07
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Customer Reviews

Shaham/Orpheus breathe new life into hackneyed classic
Unfortunately, the immortal Four Seasons had come to be so overplayed and the melodies so familiar that I could barely stand to hear it. Then I heard this performance, and it was like I had never heard the music before. Orpheus and Gil Shaham infused new life into it. I could not stop listening. I played the CD over and over again--without the least fear of it becoming tedious. I cannot recommend this recording enough--a far cry from the myriad excessively mechanical and lifeless reproductions that nearly killed off this profoundly rich music, inspired more perhaps by the desire for a profit to be derived from the work's popularity than from a true understanding of the spirit behind it. Thank you, Gil Shaham and Orpheus.

Wonderful music by any standard
Until a week ago I would have said that this is the finest version of The Four Seasons ever recorded. Shaham's approach is much like we used to hear from Jacqueline du Pre. Ferocious, full of intelligence and virtuosity, and with great love for the music. The disc is miked very close to his violin and the slightest growl and touch is clearly visable in this most dramatic of recordings. Now how could I not rate it the greatest recording of this music? Easy, I just bought Guiliano Carmignola's version on original instruments (which I usually don't care for) and it may be as perfect as any recording ever made...in every way. I have to say that If you truly love this music you must own both versions. Life is short, just bite the bullet and own them both. You won't regret it!

Bright, fresh, and full of life....
Shaham's version of "The Four Seasons" is outstanding! This interpretation is bright and full of life. It is quite moving and breathes life into a piece that is quite overplayed.

There's a little CD ROM video available on this disk as well. I've yet to figure out the point of that. It seems to be only a snippet of some larger project, and serves only as a distraction from what is otherwise a masterpiece.