CD:
New CD/SACD: Antonio Vivaldi’s 'The Four Seasons'

The Berliner Barock Solisten and soloist Daishin Kashimoto invite you to rediscover the subtle moods of the popular violin concertos.

Hardly any other work of classical music is better known worldwide than Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”: whether as a pop cover or in a hotel lobby, or in films and adverts – the popularity of these violin concertos now extends far beyond the concert hall. Yet it is easy to overlook the fact that they are not merely memorable tunes, but – even from today’s perspective – brilliant testaments to the inventive spirit of the Baroque era. Daishin Kashimoto, 1st concertmaster of the Berliner Philharmoniker, and the Berliner Barock Solisten invite you to rediscover the subtle moods of this music.

The recording project, completed in 2025, marks a double anniversary: 300 years ago, “The Four Seasons” was published, and 30 years ago, the Berliner Barock Solisten were founded. It was these very violin concertos that were featured on the ensemble’s first CD recording. Founded by members of the Berliner Philharmoniker and the then concertmaster Rainer Kussmaul, the Berliner Barock Solisten have set themselves the task of cultivating historically informed performance practice with modern instruments. Although Daishin Kashimoto is wholly committed to modern performance practice, Rainer Kussmaul had a lasting influence on him as a teacher. It is the appeal of this very mixture of tradition and modernity that can be heard in this recording of “The Four Seasons”, in which the ensemble and soloist approach Vivaldi’s fascinating imagery with the utmost openness and curiosity.

Berliner Barock Solisten
Daishin Kashimoto, violin

Antonio Vivaldi
“Le quattro stagioni”