Four Seasons - Research Paper Example

3). Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is distinctly one of the most outstanding works done by Antonio Vivaldi. The song has been used in various movies like; A view to kill, Tin cup, White Chicks among others (Atrium Musicologicum Para. 1). Four seasons has four distinct musical pieces from an orchestra and solo violinist. It signifies the different activities, sounds, atmosphere and weather of the four seasons; Summer, Spring, Winter and Autumn. Despite them being different and each complete by itself, they are designed to perform together (Squido.com, Para. 5).

Notes and Historical information Four Seasons by Vivaldi was published in 1725, in a concerto composed of twelve sets referred to as The Test of Harmony and Intervention. Each concerto is in a separate variety of fast-slow-fast movements. Four Seasons by Vivaldi appealed more to the French. That is why King Loius XV loved the ‘Spring’ and authorized it to be performed at the most unanticipated moments (Green Para. 2). The period when the Four Season was produced was known as the Baroque era.

This era came after the renaissance and middle Ages where there was a large audience for European music that was accompanied with religious hymns. The Baroque era was attributed by the existence of secular vocal music, opera and orchestral music. Based on their texture, the four seasons were unique in the manner that; “Spring” being one of the seasons was characterized with a Tutti. This represented the arrival of the season, next was the first solo which depicted the greeting from the birds, it followed that the next episodes were related to breezes and a thunderstorm.

The solo was also characterized by the existence of a second set of violins. This represented the sound that was produced by the leaves and branches and the viola in the set represented his “faithful dog” as it was constantly repeated in the set. It should also be noted that the “barking” was not originally part of the sonnet but part of the viola part instructions. The set also had an amazing dace part where it represented the inclusion of droning basses. “Summer” season set was showcased by the opening bars and represented by the sun and a sweltering “man and flock” (Laphil, “Antonio Vivaldi”).

The first solo consisted of a violin which was accompanied with ornamented and unique cuckoo notes. It was then followed by a turtledove and goldfinch, and rustling of the gentle zephyr breeze, which is joined by the violent north wind (Laphil, “Antonio Vivaldi”), where the wind has a theme that characterizes the smooth entrance of a shepherd. The shepherd is describes by the music as being fearful that a storm is about to hit the earth and this fearful state was depicted in the form of diminished musical chords.

Summer was also characterized by the onset of buzzing insects in the air and the shepherd was listening to them with the mentality and thought of the thunderstorm that were about to be experienced. The final set of this portion was that that was related to the actual storm. “Autumn” was the next season among the four seasons by Vivaldi. It was initially depicted by a dance that was linked to harvest. The individuals enjoy the harvest and they win and dance. They also enjoy the fresh air and rest as they reap their hard