Spring from 'The Four Seasons'
Antonio Vivaldi String Ensemble (group) The Four Seasons
String Ensemble (Group)
The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. A concerto is a work in several movements for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra. Composed in 1723, The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque (late 17th to early 18th centuries) music. Each concerto is named after one of the seasons. Each concerto has 3 movements (sections), a fast, a slow and a fast again. The first 2 movements of "Spring" is the concerto on your course. It features solo violin as well as an ensemble (group) of strings, a string orchestra. This could also be called a chamber orchestra, meaning a small orchestra. Notice in the 2nd video below there is a keyboard instrument called the harpsichord. This was the fore-runner of the piano. The function of the harpsichord was to fill out the bass and inner harmonies as the ensembles were small. This was called basso continuo and is a feature of Baroque music.
As a descriptive basis for his Four Seasons, Vivaldi took four Sonnets, apparently written by himself.
Allegro(1st movement)
Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the
breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.
Largo (2nd movement)
On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. This is an excellent example of early programme music, that which paints a picture, tells a story or creates a mood. .
Activity
Watch the video below and listen to the music of the 1st movement of "Spring". What are your thoughts on the images used? Do they suit the music? Why?
Why are some of the images repeated?
As a descriptive basis for his Four Seasons, Vivaldi took four Sonnets, apparently written by himself.
Allegro(1st movement)
Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the
breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.
Largo (2nd movement)
On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. This is an excellent example of early programme music, that which paints a picture, tells a story or creates a mood. .
Activity
Watch the video below and listen to the music of the 1st movement of "Spring". What are your thoughts on the images used? Do they suit the music? Why?
Why are some of the images repeated?
1st Movement
Type of work - Violin Concerto
Tempo - Lively (Allegro)
Metre - 4 (4beats in each bar)
Form - Ritornello form. This is where one theme keeps returning
Mood - Bouncy, lively .
Texture - Mixture of homophonic and polyphonic
Notice the section near the end of the movement where the soloist displays her dexterity (shows off!) This is called a Cadenza.
Tonality - Major
Type of work - Violin Concerto
Tempo - Lively (Allegro)
Metre - 4 (4beats in each bar)
Form - Ritornello form. This is where one theme keeps returning
Mood - Bouncy, lively .
Texture - Mixture of homophonic and polyphonic
Notice the section near the end of the movement where the soloist displays her dexterity (shows off!) This is called a Cadenza.
Tonality - Major
Spring - 2nd Movement, Largo
For reasons of contrast (change or variety) composers split their works up into different sections called movements. The 2nd movement below contrasts with the 1st movement, above. The tempo is slower, Largo means very slow. The articulation is legato (smooth) whereas the first movement was more staccato. Fewer instruments play, and the rhythms of the melody are longer in duration. The texture is Homophonic throughout and it features an Ostinato (repeated musical idea)
Tempo - Slow (Largo)
Metre - 3 (3beats in each bar)
Form - A,A Coda (little tail piece at the end.)
Mood - Calm, peaceful .
Tonality - Minor
For reasons of contrast (change or variety) composers split their works up into different sections called movements. The 2nd movement below contrasts with the 1st movement, above. The tempo is slower, Largo means very slow. The articulation is legato (smooth) whereas the first movement was more staccato. Fewer instruments play, and the rhythms of the melody are longer in duration. The texture is Homophonic throughout and it features an Ostinato (repeated musical idea)
Tempo - Slow (Largo)
Metre - 3 (3beats in each bar)
Form - A,A Coda (little tail piece at the end.)
Mood - Calm, peaceful .
Tonality - Minor