Vivaldi - Winter (Seasons) for violin and piano

Vivaldi - Winter (Seasons) for violin and piano. You can download the PDF sheet music Vivaldi - Winter (Seasons) for violin and piano on this page.

ANTONIO VIVALDI - Le quattro stagioni Die vier Jahreszeiten • The Four Seasons • Les Quatre Saisons

Concerto in fa minore (f-moll • in F minor • en fa mineur) RV 297 L'inverno (Der Winter • Winter • L'Hiver)

1. Allegro non molto
2. Largo
3. Allegro

Frost (ritornello) and sharp wind are depicted at the entry of this concerto. The middle section presents the idyllic situation of persons in a warm chamber, when the rain knocks at the windows. The finale Allegro is called "skating" and vividly delineates the dangers of this sport (fear of fall, the fall, the breaking ice) The close, however, reminds once more of the pleasures as caused by the four seasons of the year.

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Instrument part: 7 pages. 148 K

Piano part: 13 pages. 264 K

For each of the Four Seasons themselves, Vivaldi included a 'sonetto dimostrativo' as a programmatic guide. These sonnets (possibly the work of the composer) not only preface the score but are quoted above the relevant musical passages, though the musical realisation is often so vivid that it scarcely needs amplification.

In the outer movements there are graphic representations of birdsong, storms, the hunt, and the tricky negotiation of ice in winter. The music takes on a narrative aspect which makes these among the earliest examples of true programme music. By contrast, the slow movements are more scenic in manner, featuring such effects as a watchful dog barking while the goatherd sleeps amid the rustle of trees (Spring), or the patter of raindrops outside while sitting by the hearth (Winter). Op.8 nos 5 and 10 are further explorations of the storm ('La tempesta di mare') and the hunt ('La caccia'), while no.11 is concerned with the more abstract musical world of fugue.