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The Four Seasons by Vivaldi
Made famous by countless car adverts and Nigel Kennedy at the Albert Hall amongst other places. This has got to the piece that all fiddle player long to play and solo in!
My first exposure to this came when I was seven, we had a hat making competition at school, the Hat Parade, and dad suggested making a musical hat and came up with the Four Seasons which was a favourite of mine as a youngster. Mum and me made the hat, which turned out to be a master piece in the end (for a 7 year old anyway!) and I won first place! I was fixed with Vivaldi for a long time after!
Even a novice in classical music would recognise some of the notation! Vivaldi composed in Vienna, and was born 1678 and died in 1741. In these times, most music was composed and performed by telling a story and acting and dance were very prominent. Thus Vivaldi wrotes sonnets to accompany his music and to establish each thought in his mind. It is obvious to say then that Concerto is labelled Spring through to Winter, with three movements within each season. Most form again adopts the ABA construction, a favorite of Vivaldi. These are as follows:
1: Spring: Concerto No.1 in E Major Allegro / Largo / Allegro This I think, is the most well known of the Concertos, and has been used on numerous car adverts and airline adverts. This is what most people remember Nigel Kennedy playing at the very beginning of Nigel Mania!!!! The string compostion reflects the freshness of spring and depending on what recording you buy (trust me there is loads of choice!) this normally sells the album, this movement is the most played also by a leading Classical Radio.
2: Summer: Concerto No.2 in g minor Allegro non molto - Allegro / Adagio - Presto - Adagio / Presto
Here the strings adopt a heady, moody summer style. The oppressive heat and looming storm is aptly labelled "Summer Storm." you can almost count down the the looming storm. The style reflects the dripping heat and you can imagine you are in a heat shimmer some where in a desert, or in a meditterranean abode having an afternoon nap!
3:Autumn: Concerto No.3 in F Major, Allegro (Peasant Dance and Song) / Adagio molto (Sleeping Drunkards) / Allegro (The Hunt)
There is hint of the fading sun, and time if busyness wiuth the harvest and preparations for winter. This isn't as well known as the other pieces on the CD, but well worth a listen, as you can really tell the difference between the seasons. Each has a signature which is instantly recognisable.
4:Winter: Concerto No.4 in f minor Allegro non molto / Largo / Allegro
This I think musically is the best, it really captures the crispness fo the cold and frostiness of the ice and sound cool!! The pizzicato really helps to imagine a crisp frost with biting winds. One for the snowy hills!!! The solos are wonderfully composed, and takes the persona of jack frost!!!
I would totally recommend this to any music lover as it is a must have in any descerning music collection!!
WHICH ONE TO BUY: Well, where do I start??! MY copy is of Nigel Kennedy supported by the English Chamber Orchestra. My father has a lovely copy with Joseph Silverstein soloing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Whichever copy you buy, I assure you, you will enjoy this, its perfect for dinner music, or music to chill to, as it is so well composed!! Its a Classic
Where to buy... Online I have seen it for sale at £4.29, in most good music stores it retails between £5-£9. A good investment- stick it on your birthday/xmas list!!!
Thanks for reading, a discussion welcome on music and composers!!!!! Naomi x
A great work, but personally I've come to the point where it is just too well known. Therefore I have only one version of it with Vladimir Spivakov leading the Moscow Virtuosi. But I do agree that "Winter" is the best of the four, probably because it is the least known... Berli
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15.08.2005 16:35
A lovely, enjoyable review to read. Thank you. Vicx. x
23.07.2005 20:03
Great review, thanks,A
23.07.2005 18:30
A great work, but personally I've come to the point where it is just too well known. Therefore I have only one version of it with Vladimir Spivakov leading the Moscow Virtuosi. But I do agree that "Winter" is the best of the four, probably because it is the least known... Berli