The four seasons is a beautiful piece of music written by Antonia Vivaldi in 1725. It is made up of four concertos which each represent a particular season. The piece is written for a small orchestra with a solo violin as the main musical element. In order to help people, understand and interpret each of the pieces in relation to the season they were written for Vivaldi wrote four sonnets to go alongside the music manuscript to describe his impressions that he was trying to portray which each piece. Some of the pieces evoke such strong sensations that you can imagine the wind blowing outside. It makes me thankful that I had the Wood Burning Stove Northern Ireland company at sites like www.stovebay.com/stoves/category/40-wood-burning-stoves#.xlctz-hkhpy come and sort my new heating out before last winter.
Each on the concertos is broken down further into three parts. The first part is a fast section known in the music world as an allegro, a slow second section follows this, known as an adagio and then the final third section is another allegro piece. The format is replicated across all four parts and provides some consistency in patterns across the whole musical item.
“Spring” is the first concerto that is played and it is fast paced almost pulse like in its rhythm with a jubilant and happy feel to it. The solo violin appears in the second slower section and is intended to represent a sleeping herd of goats.
“Summer” the second concerto has a less jubilant feel to it and is almost stern in its feeling. The orchestra depicts the sounds of distant thunderstorms in the first part and this turns to the roar of a storm by the end of the second section. Although we think of Summer to be lovely and warm it’s still quite a nice time to get a centerpiece even if it is a new wood burning stove as it will create a nice addition to your living area.
“Autumn” is the third concerto and again starts with a celebratory feel with the impression given supposed to depict peasants dancing to celebrate the harvest being gathered in. The adagio section represents a quiet slumber section before the final allegro piece gives the feel of an early morning hunting expedition.
“Winter” is the fourth and final concerto and gives a snowy, frosty feel with icy biting winds. The middle section has a much warmer feel to it intending to emulate the feel of a warm fire and a comfy hearth. The final allegro of this concerto and of the entire piece is upbeat and intended to evoke feeling to trudging through the snowy ground and the thrill of slipping your way down an icy path.
This beautiful piece of music is incredibly well known and has been used time and time again. The title of the piece is incredibly apt although it was originally named ‘The Contest between Harmony and Invention’ – a much less thought-provoking name. Like many incredibly talented composers, musicians and artists Vivaldi died a poor man and was buried in an unmarked grave.
