Performers
Programme
Antonio Vivaldi Four Seasons, Op. 8
Violin Concerto in E major Spring, R.269 [10’]
I. Allegro
II. Largo e pianissimo sempre
III. Danza pastorale: Allegro
Violin Concerto in G minor Summer, R.315 [10’]
I. Allegro non molto
II. Adagio – Presto
III. Tempo impetuoso d’Estate
Violin Concerto in F major Autumn, R.293 [10’]
I. Allegro
II. Adagio molto
III. Allegro
Violin Concerto in F minor Winter, R.297 [9’]
I. Allegro non molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Concert description
Nawet, jeśli różne metody odbioru w nas walczą – tym lepiej! W końcu Cztery pory roku pochodzą ze zbioru, w którego tytule znajduje się pojedynek – inwencji i harmonii (Il cimento dell’armonia e dell’inventione).
Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons are among the most frequently performed and recorded pieces of classical – not only early – music. They appear in films and commercials, and on “the best of classical music” compilations. Sometimes we take them for granted. We know them so well that we sometimes forget that they did not become famous without reason. It is worth returning to them with fresh ears, and who knows, especially when performed by Arte dei Suonatori, they may surprise us and make us fall in love with them all over again. There are many ways to listen to the concerts in this series. You can read the sonnets that Vivaldi preceded all his works with, and look for their musical equivalent. An additional level can be introduced by glancing at the composer’s notes in the score, for example: “the dog barks” in the second part of Spring or “the drunkards have fallen asleep” in the middle section of Autumn. You can be dazzled by the brilliant virtuosity of the solo violin part, especially in some of the craziest fast outer movements. Even if different methods of reception clash within us – so much the better! After all, The Four Seasons comes from a collection whose title refers to a duel – between invention and harmony (Il cimento dell’armonia e dell’inventione).
– Dominika Micał (pisanezesluchu.pl)