Antonio Vivaldi's four concertos known as «The Seasons» from his collection Opus 8 are probably the most frequently performed, recorded as well as maltreated works from the Baroque period. A number of other composers employed Vivaldi's four masterpieces in their own compositions already during the composer’s lifetime. «Le Printemps ou les saisons amusantes» are arrangements for popular instruments at the time such as the hurdy-gurdy or bagpipes.In 1766 Michel Corrette composed the psalm Laudate Dominum de coelis by adding additional voices to the music of Spring and in 1775 Jean-Jacques Rousseau even published Spring in a transcription for flute solo!

This recording features Baroque violin virtuoso Duilio Galfetti and the ensemble I Barocchisti under the direction of Baroque specialist Diego Fasolis performing Vivaldi's timeless Seasons on historical instruments.In addition to strings and basso continuo, I Barocchisti have doubled some string parts with historical wind instruments, a technique that Vivaldi's pupil and friend Johann Georg Pisendel employed with other concertos by the Italian composer. The effect is extraordinary: discreet brush strokes that add highlights and color to the most famous seasons in history.

This recording also features four other concertos by Vivaldi.The Concerto for mandolin «...Con tutti li violini pizzicati» provides soloist Duilio Galfetti opportunity to display his mastery of another stringed instrument. Galfetti is the founder and leader of the ensemble Vanitas and of I Barocchisti.