To Cover or Not to Cover?

Numerous artists have created covers of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, particularly focusing on the third movement of Summer. However, Max Richter’s adaptation falls short in this regard, as his unique “musical syntax” almost entirely eliminates the opportunity for listeners to embark on the evolving journey that Vivaldi’s original masterpiece offers, from its serene beginning to the remarkable crescendo.

The dilemma of whether to cover a song or not is intriguing. While most covers of Hallelujah surpass Cohen’s rendition, I have yet to hear a successful cover of Lennon’s Imagine. In many instances, the new adaptation indeed surpasses the original. Examples include Sinead O’Connor’s version of Nothing Compares 2 U compared to Prince’s, My Body is a Cage by Peter Gabriel versus Arcade Fire, or Hurt by Johnny Cash versus Nine Inch Nails, among others.