Vivaldi's Four Seasons in Building a Library with Charlotte Gardner and Andrew McGregor

Available for 28 days

Andrew McGregor with the best of the week's new classical releases. c2.10pm Early music expert Kirsten Gibson joins Andrew to showcase a batch of releases that have caught her ear. 3pm Building a Library. Critic Charlotte Gardner surveys recordings of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and makes a top recommendation. Published in 1725, the collection of four violin concertos with musical representations of the changing year have become Antonio Vivaldi's best known works. Their vivid nature depictions were groundbreaking - flowing creeks, singing birds, a shepherd and his barking dog, buzzing flies, a dramatic storm, drunken dancers, frozen landscapes, and warm winter fires. It's no wonder every major violinist of the last 80 years has wanted to record them. Top Choice: La Serenissima, Adrian Chandler (violin/dir.) Signum Classics SIGCD886 c3.50pm Record of the Week. Andrew's top pick of this week's new releases.