Conductor Nicholas McGegan and his Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra tackle Vivaldi's concertos for varied instrumental combinations on this 1997 Reference Recordings release. The repertoire showcases the breadth of Vivaldi's instrumental genius—concertos for violin with oboes, bassoon and horns; pieces built around echo effects and orchestral combinations. McGegan's interpretations balance scholarly authenticity with genuine musical energy; these don't sound like museum pieces. The HDCD mastering captures the ensemble's liveliness—the period instruments have genuine presence and character. For baroque enthusiasts, this offers both familiar Vivaldi territory and more unusual concertos that prove his inventive mind extended far beyond the Four Seasons.