The Compact Disc format has already embraced Vivaldi's most popular group of violin concertos more wholeheartedly than any other piece of music, and the CD catalogue lists an incredible ten versions with different violin soloists. This James Galway transcription (recorded back in 1976) must stand out from the other Seasons—and not only for his substitution of the flute for the solo violin. At this level of virtuoso playing, the performance has its own fascination. It is non-authentic yet artistically pleasing—while the bird imitations may be said to achieve a new accuracy. Solo balance is deliberately forward but Galway fans will not object to this. As a bonus, the accompanying three-language booklet reprints the sonnets and captions from the score, and there is an additional commentary pointing out the key passages in this early example of 'programme music'. The individual movements are given separate index numbers (though this is not made clear on the box) and so can be cued directly on machines having the index feature.'