*** 180g Vinyl LP ***

Of all their hundreds of recordings, this 1969 recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Sir Neville Marriner, was perhaps the most played and successful of them all and justly so. The ultimate Baroque warhorse, one of the most often recorded pieces of classical music still to this day, seemed so fresh and alive when it first came out, bursting with new ideas.

It has thoroughly prepared and brilliantly executed performances by the Academy, entirely elegant and astoundingly virtuosic performances by the violin soloist Alan Loveday, wonderfully stylish and imaginative continuo realisation on harpsichord and organ by Simon Preston, and marvellously imaginative and highly poetic conducting from Marriner. Always lyrical and light, technical brilliance never trumping musicality. This is one of the most musically satisfying "Seasons" one is likely to hear whether on modern or period instruments.

Recorded by Argo at St John's, Smith Square, London, in September 1969, the original ¼-inch, two-track stereo tapes have been mastered by Rainer Maillard and cut by Sidney C. Meyer at Emil Berliner Studios.

"Marriner and the St Martin's Academy effervescent performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons with Alan Loveday as soloist, a superb demonstration record in the opulent acoustic of St John's, Smith Square, with its range of tone-colour and atmosphere." – Edward Greenfield, Gramophone

The Decca Pure Analogue series has attracted widespread acclaim from critics and collectors alike, praised for its meticulous production standards, fully analogue mastering chain and revelatory sound quality.