This 1969 recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Sir Neville Marriner, the most recorded orchestra/conductor partnership in history, remains as fresh and bursting with new ideas as it did when it first came out.

Alan Loveday’s wonderfully stylish violin solos and Simon Preston’s imaginative continuo realisation on harpsichord and organ make this one of the most musically satisfying “Seasons” on record.

The series is mastered by Rainer Maillard and cut by Sidney C. Meyer at the renowned Emil Berliner Studios utilising their 100% pure analogue techniques (AAA). Only analogue sources from the original stereo and quadrophonic master tapes are used, including recently discovered analogue masters of early digital recordings.

Pressed in Germany at Schallplattenfabrik Pallas on 180g virgin vinyl, these limited-edition deluxe gatefold releases will feature: the original artwork and liner notes; archival photos and facsimiles of original recording session sheets. Each individual release includes bespoke notes by Dominic Fyfe, detailing the history of the recording, the technical background and the mastering process.

Tracklisting:

Side 1

Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in E Major, Op. 8, No. 1, RV 269 "La Primavera"

Allegro
Largo
Allegro

Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in G Minor, Op. 8, No. 2, RV 315 "L'estate"

Allegro non molto – Allegro
Adagio - Presto – Adagio
Presto

Side 2

Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in F Minor, Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 "L'inverno"

Allegro non molto
Largo
Allegro

Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Strings in F Minor, Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 "L'inverno"

Allegro non molto
Largo
Allegro

Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Vivaldi: Die vier Jahreszeiten