Antonio Vivaldi “The Four Seasons” - Essay Example

Handels Serse, St. Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach and Handels magnificent Messiah are examples of historic works that the late baroque period has contributed to the world of music. Followed was the Classical period which extended up to the year 1820 (Baroque Music Guide, 2009). This period had special emphasis on the symmetry and form in the arts. The typical development in this period of music was that the elaborate complexity and the ornamentation of sounds which prevailed in the late baroque period gave way much simple and elegant music in the classical age.

The emotions and the feelings which still persisted in the elegance of the music were not allowed to supersede the clarity of the music in this period. These ever living classics including symphony, concerto, sonata, and string quartet were completely developed in this era of music(Baroque Music Guide, 2009). It was in the transition period of these two ages that Antonio Vivaldi, composed ‘The Four Seasons’. This piece of music had the properties of both periods of music ideally creating a hybrid of the qualities of both periods.

The composer could use the class from both periods to create a real masterpiece. His experience of conducting extensive number of operas is well reflected in the musical piece. However, a simpler approach in the outline of music had been maintained in The Four Seasons’. In totality, the historic background to which the music belonged has been well reflected in the work The Four Seasons’. Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice on March 4th, 1678 (Green Aaron, 2009). He served as priest since 1703, till he had to discontinue due to health related issues.

He was later employed as a techer in the Ospedale della Pietà which was officially an orphanage but in reality a shelter for the for the illegal female offspring of noblemen (Green Aaron, 2009). Later from the year 1709