Corelli Concerto for a Christmas Night, Vivaldis The 4 Seasons in its entirety

Presentation of the Work:

The Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 by Arcangelo Corelli, better known as the Christmas Concerto, was commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni and published posthumously in 1714. The concerto bears the inscription Fatto per la notte di Natale (made for Christmas night). It is written for an ensemble composed of two solo violins, cello, ripieno strings, and continuo.

Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons is a set of four concertos for violin, composed in 1723. It is undoubtedly Vivaldi's most famous composition and the most performed piece of music in the world. It is a violin concerto in which a solo violin plays accompanied by a chamber orchestra. The content of each concerto is varied and evokes each of the seasons to which it refers. For example, winter is punctuated by pizzicato notes on the high strings, reminiscent of icy rain, while summer evokes a thunderstorm in the final movement, prepared by thunder rumbling repeatedly throughout the movement.

Orchestra Hélios

Dynamic and eclectic, the Hélios Orchestra has made a name for itself since its founding in 2014.

Its artistic director, Paul Savalle, promotes the professional integration of young musicians through orchestral practice. Thus, young graduates mix with orchestra musicians, conductors, and experienced soloists in optimal working conditions.

From baroque music to contemporary music, the programs are varied, with both symphonic and choral repertoire, as the orchestra collaborates with departmental and regional choirs.

Thanks to collaboration with different conductors, the musicians explore a rich repertoire, broadening their interpretative palette. They all come from the major French conservatories, with some belonging to a national orchestra.

From string quartets to symphonic orchestras, through brass ensembles, the orchestra continually expands its audience by modulating its composition. The "strings" formation performs in the most prestigious churches in Paris, allowing the public to discover a very rich architectural heritage.

Its flexible formation allows the Hélios Orchestra to approach a wide repertoire with passionate curiosity.

Program and cast

Orchestra: Ensemble Helios

Direction: Glen Rouxel