Praised in Gramophone magazine as "an invigorating account of the Seasons" when first released on Naxos CD 8.557920, Vivaldi's universally popular Four Seasons, with their virtuoso part for solo violinist, depict the changing seasons in a pastoral landscape with dazzling variety.

Vivaldi was following in the footsteps of Monteverdi when he wrote the motets, Psalm settings, choruses and other solo and ensemble liturgical pieces which are traditionally grouped together into one of the most striking and musically varied musical Offices - that of Vespers. We can assume Vivaldi intended his works in the genre for performance as acts of worship at San Marco since he was not maestro di cappella at the Pieta, the charitable refuge for girls of the city in which he worked for so long. Though we do not know for which occasion or occasions. But you should make no mistake: this recording - for all its merits - is first and foremost an otherwise un-gathered collection.