This blog is enjoying a welcome refresh today with a spotlight on the spectacular set of four violin concerti by the Italian Baroque master, Antonio Vivaldi. Known collectively as The Four Seasons, these pieces have transcended time and genre, becoming some of the most recognisable works in classical music. Given their enduring popularity in mainstream culture – from regal ceremonies, film soundtracks to coffee shop playlists – it’s likely that most readers have encountered these compositions before. The Four Seasons is Vivaldi’s second music entry after his Concerto For Mandolin In C Major RV425 Allegro (1725).
In particular, this post highlights the vibrant Spring and the evocative Autumn concerti, featured at the end of this post. You see, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons are played in the order of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, reflecting the chronological progression of the seasons. Spring bursts forth with joyful energy, evoking blooming meadows and chirping birds, while Autumn captures the rustic revelry of harvest time, with a surprising dip into the gentle sleep of falling leaves. Together, they not only showcase Vivaldi’s flair for musical storytelling but also stand as pivotal works in the history of programmatic music – a genre where sound vividly paints scenes and emotions. Music with a narrative element, if you like.
Vivaldi took great pains to relate his music to the texts of the poems, translating the poetic lines themselves directly into the music on the page. For example, in the middle section of the Spring concerto, where the goatherd sleeps, his barking dog can be marked in the viola section.
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (4 March 1678 — 28 July 1741), nicknamed il Prete Rosso (“The Red Priest”) because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe. Vivaldi is known mainly for composing instrumental concertos, especially for the violin, as well as sacred choral works and over 40 operas. His best known work is of course today’s featured music – The Four Seasons.
Many of his compositions were written for the female music ensemble of the Ospedale della Pietà, a home for abandoned children where Vivaldi worked between 1703 and 1740. Vivaldi also had some success with stagings of his operas in Venice, Mantua and Vienna. After meeting the Emperor Charles VI, Vivaldi moved to Vienna hoping for preferment. The Emperor died soon after Vivaldi’s arrival, and the composer died a pauper, without a steady source of income. Though Vivaldi’s music was well received during his lifetime, it later declined in popularity until its vigorous revival in the first half of the 20th century.
References:
1. The Four Seasons – Britannica
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
One of my favorite pieces…
Possibly one of the first classical pieces that still resonates so strongly today. And to think he died in poverty.
That always amazed me. He had so many amazing works….
Vivaldi was literally centuries ahead of his time.
I listen to The Four Seasons every day ~ it’s the first thing I listen to. What I like about it is that every recording of it is different than every other recording of it. Some are faster ~ some are slower ~ some have more gravitas to the music ~ some have more trills & other frenetics to the melody. There’s dozens of recordings ~ some I like better than others. There’s also electric versions.
Hey, that’s staggering you listen to it every day. I didn’t realise there were so many varied recordings. I must check them some time. I learnt a new word ‘Trill’too!
I listen to a LOT of Vivaldi. I really like this group called Apollo’s Fire ~ they’re from Cleveland, Ohio ~ check out their live performance of “La Folia” ~ you can find it on YouTube ~ it’s awesome. The master violinist is one hot dude & obviously full of himself. They’re led by Jeannette Sorrel, who was a contender for the conductor of the Cleveland Symphony but she lost out to a man so she created this chamber music group & poached musicians from the Cleveland Symphony. They fucking rock. I really want to see them in concert. Cleveland is only a few hours away from Buffalo ~ I can get there easily on bus or train. I used to live in Cleveland ~ I lived there for 5 years. I have some really good friends there.
I’m in the middle of listening to La Folia (Madness) – Apollo’s Fire which is nothing short of breathtaking. I can’t tell you how indebted I am for you telling me about this.
I’ve just sent it onto friends and my children such is my instant love for “La Folia” by Apollo’s Fire. I can’t thank you enough.
I haven’t heard its equal.
I’m absolutely dying to see them in concert.
I don’t blame you!