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Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons"
Overview:
Join Active Minds as we delve into the world of music appreciation by examining the most famous work of Antonio Vivaldi: “The Four Seasons.” Composed in 1723, these four Baroque concertos are the first of what is called “program music,” a style that seeks to evoke something extra-musical. We will listen to short samples as we seek to unravel how the composer creates such powerful visual images, and strong emotional content. No prior music knowledge is needed. Just bring your curiosity.
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741):
Vivaldi was born the first of nine children in Venice and was immediately baptized because he was so scrawny and because an earthquake rattled the city on that day. His father was a musician and barber and who taught Antonio the violin at a very early age. Vivaldi was ordained in 1703 (known as the “Red Priest” because of his fiery red hair) and embarked on an intermittent 36-year career as music teacher at a school and conservatory for orphaned and indigent girls. Under his tutelage, the musical ensembles he developed there had a formidable musical reputation, regularly performed very popular concerts and were important in Vivaldi’s compositional successes, because he could test his compositions on an ongoing and daily basis. Fame was fleeting for the man who influenced so many composers and helped develop the concerto musical form. Some 500 concertos are credited to him—almost exclusively in the three-movement (fast-slow-fast) format. Because of the work of Vivaldi, the violin concerto as we know it was nearly perfected. He also wrote concertos for various other instruments, including oboe and cello. Many of Vivaldi’s concertos have been re-written for other instruments such as guitar. According is best known for his innovations and for advancing the violin to the status it enjoys today. Vivaldi also invented compositional techniques that showcase a recognizable theme, cleverly repeated and interwoven throughout.
He died in poverty after years of producing popular works and touring with his operas. Similar to Bach, Vivaldi’s music collected dust until his legacy was finally rediscovered a century after his death, by none other than Bach himself.
Sonnets of "The Four Seasons":
The following are sonnets written by Vivaldi, translated into English and re-written to rhyming forms. These “programs” appeared on the musical scores given to musicians.
Spring
Spring has come,
Welcomed by the happy singing of the birds
While the babbling stream talks
To the freshened air with gentle words
The thunder and lightening announce
A brief shower in the glade and glen
Then clouds roll back; the sky shines blue;
And the birds resume their songs again.
Then does the meadow, in full flower,
Ripple with its leafy plants
A goat-herder naps in the tall grass, protected
By his faithful dog’s watchful glance.
Nymphs and shepherds dance merrily,
As the joyful sound of bagpipes fill the air,
‘Tis Spring: so new; so green; reborn;
Rejuvenating; and rare.
Summer
Even the birds are having trouble finding song,
As the burning sun beats down
The sheep languish in the oppressive heat;
The pine trees are turning brown.
The weary shepherd swats in vain
At angry swarms of gnats and flies.
A sudden hailstorm batters the fruits and grains:
The hiding shepherd fears for his sheep; and cries.
Autumn
The country-folk celebrate the harvest
With dance and song
Their joy and revelry ends with sweet slumber
The whole night long.
At dawn, the hunters venture out
With guns and dogs to stalk their prey,
The daylong chase then ends
Another brilliant, boisterous Tuscan Autumn day.
Winter
Frozen and trembling among the winds and chilly snow,
our legs tremble with the cold
We move to the fire of contented peace,
the hearth of warmth embraced within the fold.
Watch your step while on the ice,
Lest we slip and fall and slide.
Let north winds howl...let Winter growl...
As long as we’re inside
Adaptation of poetry translation copyright © 1996 Jim Conder. Used with permission.
Exploration Questions:
• How does Vivaldi create the feeling of summer heat?
• What emotions do you associate with each concerto?
• If you are familiar with this work already, how does your experience change with the addition of the information in the sonnets?
Reflective Questions:
• Which season do you like best? Why?
• What's the most interesting weather you've ever been in?
More to Explore:
• Biography of Vivaldi: www.baroquemusic.org
• Notes on the Four Seasons: www.classicalnotes.net
• Recordings of the Four Seasons for sale: www.amazon.com
Books For Further Reading:
• Landon, H.C. Robbins. Vivaldi: Voice of the Baroque. University of Chicago Press. 1996. 208 pages. Paperback. Eminent musicologist H.C. Robbins Landon rediscovers the composer through an accessible and musically informed biography. Presenting documentation about Vivaldi discovered after the Baroque revival in the 1930s, Robbins Landon explores a fascinating life. Click here to order.
• Shefelman, Janice. I, Vivaldi. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. 2008. 32 pages. In this dynamic picture-book biography, told as if by Vivaldi himself, the famous musician's energetic personality and steadfast dedication to music come alive. Despite his mother's vow for him to become a priest, young Vivaldi is only interested in music. He soon grows from a feisty boy who wants to play the violin into a stubborn young man who puts his musical training ahead of his studies for priesthood. Beautiful, ornate artwork portrays the spirit and splendor of Vivaldi's hometown, Venice. A historical note, musical score, and glossary will help readers more fully appreciate Vivaldi's life and musical genius. Click here to order.
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