Giuliano Carmignola, Violin; Venice Baroque Orchestra/andrea Marcon

Apologies to certain virtuoso American and German fiddlers, but the only truly meaningful additions to the overflowing racks of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in the past few years have come from young Italian period-instrument bands -- namely Il Giardino Armonico and Concerto Italiano, whose historically minded renditions of this most popular of all classical works make the music sound as if newly minted. The latest such Italian aces to take up the cause of their great countryman's evergreen are the Venice Baroque Orchestra and solo violinist Guiliano Carmignola. Led by harpsichordist Andrea Marcon, the ensemble shows off its fresh, transparent timbre and infectious verve, with Carmignola's bittersweet but sinewy tone doing full justice to the timeless melodies. A key bonus to this disc, though, is the inclusion of three previously unrecorded Vivaldi violin concertos; with its two slow movements, the B flat major work beguiles best. Sony has provided a well-appointed booklet, and the sonics are glorious.