a classic gets good treatment

The Four Seasons (BIS)

Vivaldi

By Dave Regneri

I have often been asked which recording of this piece of music I like best. Well, there are currently 88 different CDs or tapes that have "The Four Seasons" on them and I have probably only heard about 12 or 15 of them.

Of the recordings that I have heard, my favorite is this recording from BIS, a Swedish company that consistently supplies the classical world with excellent recordings.

This recording is performed by the Drottingholm Baroque Ensemble with Nils-Erik Sparf as soloist. The group uses original instruments, but don't let that scare you.

Though only eleven people are playing, they have a rich, full sound, which is often lacking in larger ensembles. The sound quality is excellent, as one would expect from BIS.