Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born in 1678 in Venice and is recognized as one of the greatest Italian composers of his time. Known as an Italian Baroque (composer from 1600-1750 following the Renaissance), teacher, and cleric, Vivaldi is highly regarded for his musical talent as a virtuoso violinist. Much of his music was comprised of mostly instrumental concerti for violin and would lead to his pivotal work Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons) and the more titular of the four "La primavera" (Spring). In regards to his style, Vivaldi channeled innovative techniques such as incorporating harmonic contrasts, melodies, and themes. As a result, many of his pieces are outstandingly flamboyant and exuberant. 

Composed approximately between 1720 and 1723, The Four Seasons were inspired by landscape paintings by Italian artist Marco Ricci. The final composition was released in 1725 as part of a set of twelve concerti entitled Il cimento dell'armornia e dell'inventione (The Test of Harmony and Invention). Each season contains three movements with tempos that occur in the following order: fast-slow-fast. Additionally specific moods and scenes are depicted and tandem to the environment and time of year. Furthermore, to emphasize the individuality of the seasons, Vivaldi published accompanying poems to detail what the pieces were intended to portray and evoke. According to music terminology, this technique is said to be program music, or setting a musical narrative to any form of writing. 

La Primavera
Vivaldi begins his masterpiece with the joyful sounds of rebirth and new life heard during the springtime. In the first movement, spring has finally arrived and birds are greeting the flowers with cheerful song. A brief decrescendo is present in the melody, evocative of thunder and lightning to herald the events. All is silent until the birds begin to sing again. Gradually the tempo increases and Vivaldi depicts in one's head a flowery meadow with leaves and plants swaying in the breeze. In the distance, a faithful dog and shepherd steer a herd of goats to a new field. Finally, the season reaches its peak and incorporates a festive melody with the invigorating tune of the string section. The music silences again and transforms into the sweltering months of summer. 

L'estate

Scorched by burning sun, man and animal slowly begin to decline and weaken. The sun is too powerful to defeat, and all around life calls for help. According to Vivaldi, the summer may be beautiful but a hidden deceiver as well. The west wind gently blows, but is met by its neighbor the north wind for a nonchalant contest. Eventually the tempo rises, and the percussion becomes prominent. In a field, a shepherd grows wary of his forthcoming fate of a threatening storm. Lightning, thunder, and swarms of insects enter his mind, and the tempo then falls. Just as suddenly the pace quickens and the sky darkens. Surrounding the shepherd hail pierces the sky and descends to the grain. 



L'autunno

Autumn immediately shifts the scene to a new subject and more awe-filled mood. By now, Vivaldi has made the center of attention a peasant celebrating the pleasure and wealth from a good harvest. Surrounding him are his peers rejoicing with lively dance and song, along with the scent of liquor granted by the god of harvest Dionysus. From an allegro tempo and frequent crescendos the piece transcends into the movement of adagio molto, or very slowly. The mild and pleasant air leads all to abandon their festivities and relax into the delights of tranquil sleep. As sweet sleep settles in for several minutes Vivaldi switches the pace once more to allegro. Hunters set forth with hounds chasing after a fleeing deer. Though the animal is quick, it eventually succumbs to fear and exhaustion, and falls prey to several gun wounds. The hunters move in, with the deer greeted by eternal slumber.


L'inverno
Winter begins with allegro non molto and a fierce snowstorm. Temperatures have dropped to below freezing with frightful winds to add to the intensity. The subject has become ambiguous and is running fearfully through the storm, trying to battle the frigid flakes and rapid teeth chattering. With time, the subject seeks refuge and warms by the fire. Vivaldi has set the tempo to largo and eminent of the long, contented days in warmth while rain patters outside, drenching victims by the hundreds. The subject has just left their days of tranquility behind and is now traveling on thin ice, each step more cautious then the other. The music gains speed, evocative of the fear of falling, slipping, spinning around, and again walking until the ice cracks. The four winds come together from all corners of the earth for one final battle before the piece ceases.


Vivaldi's Four Seasons are by far musical masterpieces in themselves, and unmistakable in any context. Each piece contains characteristics and qualities that are amplified just by even the smallest amount of instruments. The composer accurately captured the five senses of the many subjects in his works, along with the specific moods and emotions all seasons generate in the viewer/listener. However, one cannot simply visualize the beauty that the instrumentation solely depicts. The accompanying narratives provide further insight and symbolism into each piece, and, in a way, trace the sentiments one feels throughout the year. By creating such a musical wonder, Vivaldi essentially wants the listener to know that each season produces a unique and individual experience. His pieces might generate perspectives and 
imagery not specifically listed in the narratives. Additionally, the narratives are not always exclusive to their assigned season. As evident by the music itself, overlaps are common and simulate the winding minutes of the month and temperatures. If one were to listen to the concerto in its entirety, it is obvious that Vivaldi will have captured the true essence of nature and its powerful effect on humanity.