Vivaldi "The Four Seasons, op 8" - Marco Fornaciari and the Fone Ensemble on Fone 007 (2LPs) - a muscular, full-tone performace with a "big sound" from this small ensemble, playing with just one instrument per part. This recording is very closely miked (albeit with all-tube microphones) and cut at a high level, with overload apparent periodically. I ended up raising my tracking force just a touch to help tame it. Overall, a very enjoyable performance that sounded delightfully "different" in this day of more demure HIP performances. Using Strativari, Guarneri and Amati instruments, the group gets a big, full and forceful presentation of this music that was a pleasure. I just wish the miking were not quite so close and that the LP cutting had not been at quite such a high level. Still, a keeper that I will come back to.
