Vivaldi – Modern or Baroque?

I recently discovered the youtube channel of an early music ensemble, called Voices of Music, who perform baroque music in the style in which it was performed at the time (or as close as possible anyway. Their website www.voicesofmusic.org has a great explanation of how the baroque style differs from what we’re used to hearing today. 

I’d like to invite you to explore two versions of Vivaldi’s Winter and feel how the music sounds completely different in character. First up, the master of our time, Itzhak Perlman performing with the Israel Philharmonic conducted by Zubin Mehta. I would say that arguably this would be one of the best recording out there, in the modern style.

Now, Voices of Music and Cynthia Freivogel.

Personally, although Baroque music is not my favourite genre, I really do prefer the early music version. It sounds like a real winter storm, you can imagine the wind whistling around you with the brassy, clear sounds of the violins. Agree or disagree?