Anne-Sophie Mutter conducts and performs. If you are not familiar with her she is one of the worlds renowned violinists. I have heard various version of the Four Seasons through out my life owning about 8 different versions of the piece on vinyl and disc from the romantic to the historic. While not a big fan of romantic conduction and delivery of these historical classics (I prefer the historically accurate version as intended by the composer) I find this one a hallmark. In this version the members are playing as a whole, in sync and on time regardless of the constant meter changes due to romantic conducting. As for romantic conducting there are few pieces that deliver like this one. Anne-Sophie Mutter is the Jimmy Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan of the violin and in this case seems to know just where to place every nuance and meter change as artist and conductor for a delivery that not only swells in emotion and spirit but puts a new and favorable twist on the way many of these lines have been delivered in the past.
No comment on the second piece as I am not familiar with it.
This ED release is a very welcomed improvement over the original CD which I could not seem to get into regardless of the performance. With this version I could not seem to remove it from the player! The 24/44 version adds so much more character to the sonic signature and the ability to pick out the different instruments!
A great introduction of the Four Seasons for the newbie and an inspiring thought provoking rendition for the well listened. Highly recommended!
Stereo Access: group select
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