Composer: Antonio Vivaldi, Ailbhe McDonagh
Performer: Lynda O’Connor
Orchestra: Anamus
Conductor: David Brophy
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Avie
Catalogue: AV2688
Release: 2024
Size: 1.14 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Spring, RV269
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Largo
03. III. Allegro
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Summer, RV315
04. I. Allegro non molto – Allegro
05. II. Adagio – Presto
06. III. Presto
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Autumn, RV293
07. I. Allegro – Larghetto – Allegro assai / molto
08. II. Adagio molto
09. III. Allegro
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons: Winter, RV297
10. I. Allegro non molto
11. II. Largo
12. III. Allegro – Lento – Allegro
McDonagh: The Irish Four Seasons
13. I. Earrach (spring)
14. II. Samhradh (summer)
15. III. Fómhar (autumn)
16. IV. Geimhreadh (winter)
As responses to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons go, the world-premiere of The Irish Four Seasons by Ailbhe McDonagh instantly ranks amongst the most evocative and ear-catching. Presented alongside the “Red Priest’s” monumental opus, in the debut recording by leading Irish violinist Lynda O’Connor, McDonagh’s The Irish Four Seasons resonates with a shrewd synthesis of Baroque style and Irish culture.
O’Connor explains, “Irish and Baroque music are similar in many ways. The freedom to ornament, similarities in structure and the prominence of reinterpretation are apparent in both styles”. O’Connor and McDonagh are frequently referred to as musical soulmates. In their most recent collaboration, they bring to bear Ireland’s huge musical heritage.
Arranged over four movements – Earrach (Spring), Samhradh (Summer), Fomhar (Autumn), and Geimhreadh (Winter) -The Irish Four Seasons introduces new Irish airs inspired by Vivaldi’s memorable melodies, creating an exciting and emotive work that proudly takes its place alongside the Baroque evergreen. Supported by her new, hand-picked ensemble Anamus under the baton of David Brophy, O’Connor brings these programmatic works – old and new alike – to palpable life.
“The most impressive moments of these two performances were provided by the long-breathed phrasing of Lynda O’ Connor” ? Michael Dervan, The Irish Times
Recordings pairing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons violin concertos with a new set of four seasonal works were abundant in the years after the turn of the century, and they have continued to appear. This one, put together by violinist Lynda O’Connor, has enough novelty to make it worthwhile. The Vivaldi Seasons don’t sound hackneyed; O’Connor, with her handpicked 15-player string ensemble Anamus under the baton of conductor David Brophy, offers highly expressive readings with some unusual continuo treatments. The sound of the album is also individual; producer Judith Sherman forges a rather closed-in studio sound that may well resemble the rooms where the music was originally heard more closely than do big church recordings. However, the chief attraction here is the added work, The Irish Four Seasons, by composer Ailbhe McDonagh. She is better known as a cellist, but this is unlike any of the other regional “Four Seasons” pieces so far. McDonagh begins with the premise that anyone writing a “Four Seasons” by now can hardly escape the influence of Vivaldi’s works. Her concertos are not exactly modeled on Vivaldi’s, but ideas from Vivaldi course through them, combined with more Irish sounds. Sample the “Samhradh (Summer)” movement for a good illustration. McDonagh’s “Geimhreadh (Winter)” finale (all the movements have Gaelic titles) gathers up material from the first three movements as if to suggest, annotator Rita Fernandes writes, that in Ireland, “all four seasons can happen in one day.” This is music of considerable subtlety, yet anyone can enjoy it and enjoy tracing the connections to the Vivaldi Four Seasons. A fine offbeat choice in the Vivaldi arena.