Vivaldi’s spring
© Kevin Dayhoff
April 17, 2009
© Kevin Dayhoff
April 17, 2009
The image above is rare drawing of Antonio Vivaldi at work in his studio, in 1725, around the time he wrote “The Four Seasons.”
Let’s all hope that the recent warmer weather and sunshine are, in the words of Antonio Vivaldi, a sure sign that “springtime is upon us.”
Vivaldi, the famous Venetian Baroque music composer was born on March 4, 1678, in what was then known as the Republic of Venice. The son of barber, who later became a professional violinist; it is not well known that Vivaldi was ordained a priest in 1703. In September of that same year, he took a job as the violin teacher at Pio Ospedale della Peita – an orphanage, in Venice.
In 1725, he wrote, what is to many, his most famous work, “The Four Seasons”; a set of four violin concertos written to go long with four sonnets, which many historians believe he wrote himself.
Referred to as descriptive music, “The Four Seasons” were relatively revolutionary at the time and has influenced artists from many different media ever since. It is the ultimate collage – in this case, of music to describe words – the juxtaposition of various, otherwise disparate elements that come together to make a whole that has much more meaning than its individual components.
Although many are quite familiar with the music of Vivaldi’s “Spring,” few are familiar with the words: Spring – Concerto in E Major
Allegro: Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.
Largo: On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.
Allegro: Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.
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20090327 Vivaldi at work wCCSmithsm.jpg
20090417 Vivaldi’s spring Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack
www.kevindayhoff.com
Let’s all hope that the recent warmer weather and sunshine are, in the words of Antonio Vivaldi, a sure sign that “springtime is upon us.”
Vivaldi, the famous Venetian Baroque music composer was born on March 4, 1678, in what was then known as the Republic of Venice. The son of barber, who later became a professional violinist; it is not well known that Vivaldi was ordained a priest in 1703. In September of that same year, he took a job as the violin teacher at Pio Ospedale della Peita – an orphanage, in Venice.
In 1725, he wrote, what is to many, his most famous work, “The Four Seasons”; a set of four violin concertos written to go long with four sonnets, which many historians believe he wrote himself.
Referred to as descriptive music, “The Four Seasons” were relatively revolutionary at the time and has influenced artists from many different media ever since. It is the ultimate collage – in this case, of music to describe words – the juxtaposition of various, otherwise disparate elements that come together to make a whole that has much more meaning than its individual components.
Although many are quite familiar with the music of Vivaldi’s “Spring,” few are familiar with the words: Spring – Concerto in E Major
Allegro: Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.
Largo: On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.
Allegro: Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.
####
20090327 Vivaldi at work wCCSmithsm.jpg
20090417 Vivaldi’s spring Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack
www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Christina Collins-Smith
