Vivaldi and Piazzolla: Eight Seasons

Despite global warming, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons is more popular than ever. But it still seems strange that Gidon Kremer and his Kremerata Baltica ensemble--a group that continues to stun us with riveting performances of lesser-heard works--would tackle the tried-and-true baroque masterpiece. Luckily, Kremer inventively separates each Vivaldi season with a corresponding composition from Astor Piazzolla's Four Seasons Suite, making for fascinating comparisons. Kremer's performances of the Vivaldi are remarkable, sounding solid and fresh. And like an infectious Broadway musical, Piazzolla's seasons always seem on the verge of a giddy dance number. Kremer really gets to show off on these tango-inspired pieces, but he's charming throughout. The programming probably won't make this your reference Four Seasons, but for those who love their Vivaldi in small doses or fans of Kremer's Tango Ballet disc, this is a must-have. --Jason Verlinde Amazon.com

What a treat!!

I am not a musician but I am a lover of music. I recently heard a chamber music concert of Piazzolla's "Four Seasons" for the first time and really enjoyed it. While searching for a good CD to enjoy at home, I stumbled across "Eight Seasons" and purchased it, too, because Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" is one of my favorites. What a wonderful find! This CD is an interesting interplay of the two pieces sometimes even within the same selection. It is lively, up beat and thoroughly enjoyable. December 16, 2008

Great recording of Piazzolla's Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

The `eight seasons' referred to in this CD's name are the `Four Seasons' of Vivaldi and the `Four Seasons' of the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. Piazzolla is the composer most responsible for the meeting and merging of Argentine Tango and Western Classical music. From his large output, "Cuatro Estaciones Porteños," "The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires" (people from Buenos Aires are known as "Porteños"), is one of the undisputed masterworks. There are numerous recordings of these four wonderful pieces available, including one I would also highly recommend by a trio known as Opus 3 (composed of members of the Israeli Philharmonic), though I don't know if it is available in the U.S. (I purchased it in Argentina). But the recording of the Four Seasons of Buenos Aires that I think most moving is that on this CD with Gidon Kremer. If you're primarily interested in Piazzolla's music, it is likely that, like me, you probably don't need another copy of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, but the juxtaposition of the two works on this CD is not entirely without merit, as Piazzolla does quote from Vivaldi's seasons in his own pieces, often with very pleasing effect.

The `Four Seasons of Buenos Aires' are therefore in effect orchestral tangos, though they nonetheless inhabit a different sound-world than, say, the patron saint of traditional Argentine tango, Carlos Gardel. If you have heard other versions of these pieces, you may be surprised at how wonderfully refined Kremer and his group are able to make them sound, yet without losing any of the power and color inherent in the tango as a musical form. My personal favorite of Piazzolla's seasons is "Invierno Porteño," "Winter in Buenos Aires," which is a sensuously beautiful yet melancholy classical tango played with just the right combination of passion, intensity, and restraint. In this version Kremer's violin along with the wonderful strings suit the music perfectly.
January 9, 2008

Astonishing contrasts

Having heard a live performance of Eight Seasons given by Tasmin Little at De La Warr pavilion,Bexhill was enthusiastic to get a copy. The performance by Gidon Kremer does not disappoint. The Vivaldi is as fresh as ever, far less mannered than the Nigel Kennedy version, and with the revolutionary 'naturalistic' effects of the seasons that make it so endearing a piece played with sensitivity and grace. The Piazzola 4 Seasons of Buenos Aires is similarly responsive to the atmospheres of the city but composed with amazing a-tonal effects. Huge glissandi and sonorous climaxes along with cool, lazy tango rhythms make a complete musical portrait of the sounds of the city. Very exciting music making - very rewarding listening August 14, 2007

Music ALIVE!

I really know hardly anything about Argentinan music or Kremer, but I bought this album after I became enraptured with the spring and summer suites at a ballet. My local company created a piece inspired by the works of expatriate artist Amaranth Ehrenhalt and set to alternating Vivaldi and Piazzola selections. I was amazed by how Vivaldi's Seasons took on new life. Everything was vivid and fluid and meshed perfectly with the dance. I recommend this--you can truely feel the seasons alive in all of their glory.
BTW: Rio de la Plata means River of Silver. March 12, 2006

Full Circle With Kremer's Eight Seasons

Gidon Kremer has been building himself quite the reputation as an interpreter of the music of the late and great Argentine musical polymath, Astor Piazzolla. Here he takes the very well-known Four Seasons of Vivaldi and stands them up to the Four Seasons of Piazzolla and the result is an aural delight.
Most who are reading this are probably curious about this CD for one of two reasons: either they are Vivaldi fans, or they are Piazzolla fans. But who says that being a fan of one has to exclude the other? After you listen to this, you are likely to become a fan of the music of both composers and of Gidon Kremer as well if you were not already.
Being a huge Piazzolla fan,I never tire of hearing different interpretations of one of his most important works. The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires may be born of tango, but it is much more than that. It is a masterful marriage of classical elements with those of tango. Piazzolla could do many things with music and what he has created with his Four Seasons is an electrifying blend that will stand the test of time.
And so here is Gidon Kremer with yet another skillful and faithful interpretation of the both the spirit and the letter of Astor Piazzolla's music, cleverly juxtaposed with that of one of the Old Masters. Kremer brings us full circle with his presentation of the Four Seasons sequences of both composers, beginning with Vivaldi's La Primavera (Spring) and after a musical journey through the year, ending with Primavera Portena (Buenos Aires Spring) so that we finish where we began.
Kremer and his Kremerata Baltica do a virtuoso job throughout. Though I am a partisan of the music of Piazzolla, I enjoy Kremer's interpretation of Vivaldi as well. If you know and love this music as I do, then Eight Seasons merits an esteemed slot in your CD collection. October 19, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...