Antonio Vivaldi – Le Quattro Stagioni (UHQCD)

One does not want to run the risk of boring the reader with opinions, insights, figures, data and facts about Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” Everything there is to say about this work has already been said. And yet, three centuries after the Venetian violinist and Roman Catholic priest composed his most important work, there are no signs of fatigue – neither among musicians nor among experts and consumers.

“The Four Seasons” is probably one of the most frequently recorded classical works, and this 1992 recording has also been released several times. Nevertheless, the wonderful-sounding one-step vinyl pressing of “Le Quattro Stagioni,” released on the 30th anniversary of AudioNautes, became a bestseller in the audiophile classical music scene. By popular demand, AudioNantes is now releasing “Le Quattro Stagioni” in an ear-pleasing UHQCD version. The original recording was made in the church of San Martino in Treviso, Italy. The musicians are the Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca, a baroque ensemble founded in 1983. The first violin is from the Guarneri family and is played here by Giuliano Carmignola, considered one of Italy’s finest violinists.

Ensemble: Sonatori De La Gioiosa Marca
Solo Violin: Giuliano Carmignola

Archlute: Giancarlo Rado
Cello: Walter Vestidello
Double Bass: Alberto Rasi
Harpsichord: Andrea Marcon
Viola: Enrico Parizzi
Violin: Giorgio Fava, Luigi Mangiocavallo

UHQCD stands for Ultimate High Quality Compact Disc and is a joint development of the Japanese CD replication company Memory-Tech and the Audio Quality CD Company from Hong Kong. Unlike conventional CDs, UHQCDs are not pressed from polycarbonate, but cast from a photopolymer and cured with UV light. Another layer of high-purity polycarbonate is applied to the softer photopolymer for scratch protection. The combination results in significantly reduced reflection of laser light inside the CD and an unmatched precise edge transition between pits and lands of the CD. UHQCDs are 100% compatible with standard CD players. Musically, the result is a sound image strongly reminiscent of analog master tapes.

Lista pieselor

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741): “Le Quattro Stagioni” 

1. La Primavera – op. 8 no.1/I in Mi Maggiore RV 269 – Allegro
2. La Primavera – op. 8 no.1/II in Mi Maggiore RV 269 – Largo e pianissimo sempre
3. La Primavera – op. 8 no.1/III in Mi Maggiore RV 269 – Danza pastorale

4. L’Estate – op. 8 no.2/I in Sol Minore RV315 – Allegro Non Molto
5. L’Estate – op. 8 no.2/II in Sol Minore RV315 – Adagio/Presto
6. L’Estate – op. 8 no.2/III in Sol Minore RV315 – Presto

7. L’Autunno – op. 8 no 3/I in Fa Maggiore RV 293 – Allegro 
8. L’Autunno – op. 8 no 3/II in Fa Maggiore RV 293 – Adagio Molto 
9. L’Autunno – op. 8 no 3/III in Fa Maggiore RV 293 – Allegro 

10. L’Inverno – op. 8 no. 4/I in Fa Minore RV 297 – Allegro
11. L’Inverno – op. 8 no. 4/II in Fa Minore RV 297 – Largo e pianissimo sempre
12. L’Inverno – op. 8 no. 4/III in Fa Minore RV 297 – Danza pastorale

Bonus tracks: „Concerto per la solennità di San Lorenzo”

13. Concerto per violino RV 286/I – Largo – Andante monto
14. Concerto per violino RV 286/II – Largo
15. Concerto per violino RV 286/III – Allegro non molto