

Kennedy has since released The New Four Seasons (2015), a modern interpretation of the concertos, infused with jazz as well as the violinist’s love for Jimi Hendrix. We named Nigel Kennedy one of best rule-breaking musiciansĮssential listening for all Vivaldi enthusiasts, few recordings display the same level of vivacity as this collaboration between Kennedy and the English Chamber Orchestra – the matchless energy of their full-throttle performance doesn’t mean lack of precision, however. Released in 1989, Kennedy’s recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons spent nearly two years at the top of the UK classical album chart and sold over 2 million copies, making it the best-selling classical recording at the time. It comes as no surprise that Nigel Kennedy’s record-breaking disc makes this list. Nigel Kennedy (violin), English Chamber Orchestra Warner Classics 5562532 (1989) This is not to say that it lacks drama – far from it, in fact, as Brown and Marriner expertly capture the dynamic highs and lows of each season. Often thought of as the first definitive recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Iona Brown and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields display an exceptional lightness of touch throughout that makes the performance compelling yet easy to listen to. Her Four Seasons is arguably her finest achievement on disc.

Though she left the orchestra in 1980, just a year after this recording was released, she continued collaborating with them. Over the next decade, she would work her way to the top of the orchestra, reaching principal soloist and director by 1974. Iona Brown joined the Academy of St Martin in the Fields in 1964. Iona Brown (violin), Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner Philips 9500 7 17 (1979) The best recordings of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons

In chronological order, here are our recommendations of the freshest interpretations and pioneering performances. Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of recordings. All four concertos are widely familiar today and regularly appear in popular culture, from films and TV to choreographed sport such as ice skating.
