Vivaldi 'Spring' ("The Four Seasons") - Stokowski conducts; Hugh Bean, solo violin 

Spring has officially sprung, so here it is in Vivaldi's imaginative realization! ... Leopold Stokowski had an amazingly wide repertoire of orchestral music during his six decades conducting career, yet there were several works which he came to for the first time very late in life. Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" was one of them, being a recording project for Decca's "Phase 4 Stereo" label. It was recorded in June 1966 when Stokowski had just turned 84. The New Philharmonia's leader/concert master Hugh Bean played the solo violin part and he was supported by Desmond Bradley, 2nd violin, and Charles Spinks, harpsichord.
The 3-movement work consists of an 'Allegro' opening depicting the coming of Spring, its gentle breezes momentarily disturbed by storm clouds. The slow movement features a goatherd and his dog in a meadow, while the finale has a festive mood illustrated by dancing nymphs and shepherds. The recording has been released both on Cala Records and on Decca's own "Phase 4 Stereo" label.