I agree with GH here that there is something unusual going on - sonically - in the violin top registers.
For the first two concerti of the Seasons - Spring and Summer - the extreme hf is definitely a bit waspish, and consequently draws rather too much attention to itself.
For the remainder of the first disc, and throughout the second, however, the picture changes. Either something has been done in Finesplice's post processing/mastering or in Philip Hobb's miking. The result in a generalised warming of the sound and better balance of treble. However, the pin-point focus and dimensionality of the first tracks is also lost, with noticeably more vertical smearing of the stage.
This is strange; unlike GH, I usually find Hobbs' small ensemble recordings for Linn to be impeccable, in particular in their natural string tone.
Maybe the acoustic (St George's Chesterton, Cambridge) was problematical?
Let me emphasise, however, that - aside from this slight niggle - this set is most enjoyable and offers fine value.
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