James Ehnes, Andrew Armstrong & Sydney Symphony – Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (2015) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

James Ehnes takes a break from the 19th and 20th century repertoire and has recorded for the first time in his career four of the most famous baroque violin concertos – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the first four works in his set of 12, op8. James also directs the Sydney Symphony.

The Vivaldi is prefaced by two famous violin sonatas – Tartini’s Devils Trill in the skillful arrangement by Fritz Kreisler which is very faithful to the original text, to which Kreisler adds the famous cadenza in the finale.
Leclair, one the few composers to have been murdered, was known as ‘The French Corelli’. Of his op9 set of 12 sonatas for violin, the third has become the most popular for its ‘Tambourin’ finale, depicting a pipe-and-drum dance with drone effects – all good fun!

Tracklist:
01. Violin Sonata in G Minor, B.g5 “Il trillo del diavolo”: I. Larghetto
02. Violin Sonata in G Minor, B.g5 “Il trillo del diavolo”: II. Allegro energico
03. Violin Sonata in G Minor, B.g5 “Il trillo del diavolo”: III. Grave – Allegro assai
04. Violin Sonata in D, Op. 9/3 “Tambourin”: I. Un poco andante
05. Violin Sonata in D, Op. 9/3 “Tambourin”: II. Allegro
06. Violin Sonata in D, Op. 9/3 “Tambourin”: III. Sarabanda. Largo
07. Violin Sonata in D, Op. 9/3 “Tambourin”: IV. Presto
08. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in E “La Primavera”: I. Allegro
09. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in E “La Primavera”: II. Largo e pianissimo sempre
10. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in E “La Primavera”: III. Danza pastoral. Allegro
11. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in G Minor “L’Estate”: I. Allegro non molto
12. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in G Minor “L’Estate”: II. Adagio – Presto
13. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in G Minor “L’Estate”: III. Presto
14. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in F “L’Autunno”: I. Allegro
15. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in F “L’Autunno”: II. Adagio molto
16. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in F “L’Autunno”: III. Allegro
17. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in F Minor “L’Inverno”: I. Allegro con molto
18. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in F Minor “L’Inverno”: II. Largo
19. Le Quattro Stagione, Concerto in F Minor “L’Inverno”: III. Allegro