Vivaldi's musical descriptions of different scenes from the seasons are vivid and numerous. A few of the more obvious are the bird calls, the murmuring brook, and the brief stormy weather on track 1 (Spring). The prolonged "take cover" storm occurs on track 6 (Summer). A rather primitive peasant dance takes place on track 7 (Autumn) where the country-folk as well as the musicians may have had a bit too much wine during the harvest celebration. Track 8 (Autumn) depicts the hunt with galloping rhythms followed by the sound of the hunting horns (played on bouzouki). The hunted beast runs by in triplets and guns are fired which cause the unfortunate's demise. Track 10 and 12 (Winter) imitate the shivering and teeth-chattering features of the great outdoors, whereas the lovely Largo (Track 11) lets us feel how nice it can be to stay indoors by the fire when the winds are howling outside.

Baroque composers were constantly reusing their own music and adapting it for different instruments and purposes. It should be noted that the Baroque era was home to a multitude of plucked-string instruments. Daniel Estrem's instrumentation of 6 and 8-string classical guitars, steel-string acoustic guitar, ukulele, and bouzouki is unconventional and offers the listener an experience of hearing a timeless classic in a whole new setting.

1. Allegro (Spring) Concerto No1 RV269 (Antonio Vivaldi)
2. Largo (Spring) Concerto No1 RV269 (Antonio Vivaldi)
3. Allegro (Spring) Concerto No1 RV269 (Antonio Vivaldi)
4. Allegro Non Motto (Summer) Concerto No2 RV315 (Antonio Vivaldi)
5. Adagio (Summer) Concerto No2 RV315 (Antonio Vivaldi)
6. Presto (Summer) Concerto No2 RV315 (Antonio Vivaldi)
7. Allegro (Autumn) Concerto No3 RV293 (Antonio Vivaldi)
8. Adagio (Autumn) Concerto No3 RV293 (Antonio Vivaldi)
9. Allegro (Autumn) Concerto No3 RV293 (Antonio Vivaldi)
10. Allegro Non Motto (Winter) Concerto No4 RV297 (Antonio Vivaldi)
11. Largo (Winter) Concerto No4 RV297 (Antonio Vivaldi)
12. Allegro (Winter) Concerto No4 RV297 (Antonio Vivaldi)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 3/18/2012
Daniel Estrem lives in Minnesota USA

Tagged as: Classical, Baroque, Instrumental, Composer: Antonio Vivaldi, Classical Guitar, Ukulele

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4. The Once and Future Harp by Cheryl Ann Fulton: World-class performer and teacher of Medieval, Baroque, Welsh triple, Celtic and Concert harps.
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11. SL Weiss on 11 Strings by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
12. Lautenschmaus by Daniel Shoskes: A feast of Baroque lute
13. The Christmas Album by AlmaNova: lively flute/guitar duo
14. Christmas Music by Magnatune Compilation: the best music from Magnatune
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16. In a Garden So Green, Lute Music of Scotland by Voices of Music: Lilting Renaissance & Baroque vocal interpretations
17. The Airs of Wales by Cheryl Ann Fulton: World-class performer and teacher of Medieval, Baroque, Welsh triple, Celtic and Concert harps.
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