Vivaldi – The Four Seasons (Le quattro stagioni, 1723) | Complete

Antonio Vivaldi’s (1678–1741) The Four Seasons (Le quattro stagioni), composed in 1723 and published in 1725 as part of his Op. 8 collection Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione (The Contest Between Harmony and Invention), is one of the most iconic masterpieces in Baroque music. Each of the four concertos musically illustrates a different season of the year, accompanied by sonnets that are believed to have been written by Vivaldi himself. These works are some of the earliest and most famous examples of programmatic music—where instrumental music is used to depict vivid scenes of nature and human activity. ✨ Movements: Spring (La primavera), Op. 8 No. 1 in E major (RV 269) 00:00 I. Allegro – Birds welcome spring with joyful songs, thunderclouds soon arrive, but sunshine returns. 03:33 II. Largo – A shepherd sleeps, lulled by the rustling leaves and distant barking of his faithful dog. 06:31 III. Allegro – Nymphs and shepherds dance in celebration of springtime. Summer (L’estate), Op. 8 No. 2 in G minor (RV 315) 10:50 I. Allegro non molto – The sweltering heat oppresses man and beast alike. 16:20 II. Adagio – The shepherd rests wearily, threatened by summer storms. 18:23 III. Presto – A mighty thunderstorm breaks out, with lightning and hail destroying the crops. Autumn (L’autunno), Op. 8 No. 3 in F major (RV 293) 21:19 I. Allegro – Peasants celebrate the harvest with singing and dancing. 26:23 II. Adagio molto – The drunkards, exhausted from revelry, fall into deep slumber. 30:08 III. Allegro – Hunters take to the fields, horns sounding, dogs barking, and shots firing. Winter (L’inverno), Op. 8 No. 4 in F minor (RV 297) 33:33 I. Allegro non molto – Shivering in the icy wind, stamping feet to keep warm. 36:57 II. Largo – Sitting contentedly by the fire, while rain falls outside. 39:39 III. Allegro – Slipping, sliding, and dancing on the frozen ice, before the chilling wind returns. This cycle not only displays Vivaldi’s virtuosic writing for the violin but also his extraordinary ability to translate the sounds of nature and human life into music that remains timeless and universally beloved. #Vivaldi #TheFourSeasons #BaroqueMusic #ViolinConcerto #classicalmasterpieces Music: The Four Seasons (Violin Concertos RV 269 "Spring", RV 315 "Summer", RV 293 "Autumn", RV 297 "Winter") Composer: Antonio Vivaldi Artist: The Modena Chamber Orchestra