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Which Vivaldi Four Seasons CD to buy???

OK - I'm a total beginner when it comes to classical music. I'm only recently getting into it because it helps me get through my law school readings and retain the information. The music I normally listen to doesn't really do that.

Anyway, I figure Vivaldi's Four Seasons is a good place to start. (I think that my taste leans towards the Baroque era because I also like Albinoni Adagio). My problem is which Four Seasons CD is the best one in terms of the musician and audiophile quality? There seem to be so many out there... (I think that my father has one by Telarc?)

Thanks!
mdp0430
french_fries
815 posts
 
trevor pinnock on archiv - not only great performances but
exceptional sound. as for vivaldi, i suggest you don't limit yourself to the "4 seasons"- La Stravaganza (and numerous other string concertos) is a gorgeous piece of music (also on archiv). and his instrumental music offers alot of variety, featuring woodwind instruments as well.
mdp0430 OP
60 posts
 
Thank you everyone for your responses to date. I have a question about the Trevor Pinnock on Archiv disk... There seem to be three different disks on Archiv's website. The catalog numbers are 758530, 469220, and 400045. Could you please refer me to the correct one (ie. which catalog number is your disk)? They all seem to be different. Here is the link:

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/albumList.jsp?name_id1=12652&name_role1=1&name_id2=13646&name_role2=3&bcorder=31

Thanks again!
mdp0430 OP
60 posts
 
Hi Larry,

The disk that you are referring to, Winston Ma, First Impressions Music, it seems to only be available in SACD. Does that sound right? Unfortunately, my player doesn't do SACD...
geronimo
24 posts
 
I totally agreed with Opalchip on the BIS label by the Drottingholm Baroque Ensemble as being one of the BEST(BIS-CD-275). I also would recommend the JVC xrcd24 version Orchestre De Chambre Jean-Francois Paillard, Gerard Jarry, violon(JM-XR24001). Both are excellent recordings.
ncarv
983 posts
 
The one I have is 400 045-2.
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