The Four Seasons by Vivaldi in Padua

The Four Seasons by Vivaldi in Padua

Music representing the moods of the four seasons has always been popular, and baroque composers such as Werner and Fischer among others produced cycles of concertos representing the fours seasons. But none were to do so in such precise pictorial detail as Antonio Vivaldi in his Four Seasons concerto! 

The whole Baroque epoch showed a deep interest in the amazing natural changes determined by the seasons. Bernini itself represented them in its fine sculptures. Baroque art has a dramatic conception of the relationship between man and nature and between man and the universe. Galileo’s discoveries brought about a shift in the position of man, who was no longer at the center of the cosmos. As a consequence, a new attitude of awe and wonder towards the power of nature emerged.

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons are a symbol of his era. Not only is the feeling of astonishment conveyed by his spectacular description of nature, but also by his musical language. The composition aims at astounding the listener with unusual melodies, created through increased rhythm and higher harmonic contrast. His music is thus freer, more fluid and able to better describe the story it wishes to narrate. The scenes range from the chirp of different birds in spring, to summer storms, from fleeing foxes in autumn, to teeth chattering and rain pouring down in winter. In accordance with the highest expression of baroque concepts, nature is dramatized, and the audience feels actively involved in the rapid succession of events taking place in the work of art.

Witness the evocative power of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" in Sala dei Giganti of Padua. The most famous of Vivaldi’s works, and revolutionary example of Italian Baroque music, performed by strings quintet and harpsichord. 

Program and cast

Violin soloist and Conductor: Elvin Dhimitri 

Strings quintet

Harpsichord

PROGRAM

First Time

Concerto F XI No.4 in A Major

Allegro molto/Andante molto/Allegro

Concerto “La Rustica” RV 151 in G Major

Presto/Adagio/Allegro

Concerto RV 127 in D Minor

Allegro/Adagio/Allegro

Second Time

Concerto No.1 in E Major, RV 269, “SPRING”

Allegro/Largo/Allegro (Pastorale dance)

Concerto No.2 in G Minor, RV 315, “SUMMER”

Allegro non molto - Allegro/Adagio-Presto-Adagio/

Presto (Summer Storm)

Concerto No.3 in F Major, RV 293, “AUTUMN”

Allegro (Peasant Dance and Song)/Adagio molto

(Sleeping Drunkards)/Allegro (The Hunt)

Concerto No.4 in F Minor, RV 297, “WINTER”

Allegro non molto/Largo/Allegro