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Monday, January 19, 2015

MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

QUOTE:
"If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble.
 Therefore, respect every musician in his proper place."

AUTHOR: Robert Schumann
MEANING OF THE QUOTE:
"No one person is successful
  without a team behind him."







COMPOSER
VIVALDI
THE FOUR SEASONS OP. 8
COMPLETE
Summer 10:31
Autumn 20:59
Winter 32:48
The four concerti known as The
Four Seasons (Italian: Le quattro
stagioni) are part of a group of eight
violin concerti published in Amsterdam
in 1725 as Op. 8. Vivaldi created this
set of concertos (his most famous
work) inspired by a set of sonnets
describing each of the four seasons
and explaining what was going on and
supplying performance instructions.
The Four Seasons is often classified
as program music, instrumental music
that tells a story of some kind.
The Four Seasons Op. 8 No. 1
LA PRIMAVERA
(Spring Concerto)
in E Major RV 269
Complete
Pasquale Farinacci, Violin
Fernando Raucci, Conductor
Molise Light Orchestra
I. 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.
Analysis of the First Movement
Eugéne D'Angelo, Violin
José Ferrari, Conductor
Orchestra Camerata di Roma
Cho-Liang Lin, Violin
GM
II. Largo
On the flower-strewn meadow,
with leafy branches rustling overhead,
the goat-herd sleeps,
his faithful dog beside him.
GM
III. Allegro
(Pastorale Dance)
Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes,
nymphs and shepherds lightly dance
beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.
Performed by Il Giardino Armonico
The Four Seasons Op. 8 No. 2
L'ESTATE
(Summer Concerto)
in G Minor RV 315
Complete
Julia Fischer, Violin


I. Allegro non molto
Beneath the blazing sun's relentless heat
men and flocks are sweltering,
pines are scorched.
We hear the cuckoo's voice;
then sweet songs of the turtle dove
and finch are heard.
Soft breezes stir the air….
but threatening north wind
sweeps them suddenly aside.
The shepherd trembles, fearful of violent storm
and what may lie ahead.
N. Tonchev
Montana Chamber Orchestra

II. Adagio e piano-Presto e forte
His limbs are now awakened from their repose
by fear of lightning's flash and thunder's roar,
as gnats and flies buzz furiously around.
Pina Carmirelli, Violin
I Musici
III. Presto
Alas, his worst fears were justified,
as the heavens roar and great hailstones
beat down upon the proudly standing corn.
Anne-Sophie Mutter, Violin
Herbert von Karajan, Conductor
Wiener Philharmoniker
The Four Seasons Op. 8 No. 3
L'AUTUNNO
(Autumn Concerto)
in F Major RV 293
Complete
Nicola Benedetti, Violin
Matthew Halls, Conductor
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
http://www.slideshare.net/goyewole/antonio-vivaldi-power-point?related=3

I. Allegro
(Peasant Dance and Song)
The peasant celebrates with song and dance
the harvest safely gathered in.
The cup of Bacchus flows freely,
and many find their relief in deep slumber.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_okr4ij-GE

II. Adagio molto
(Sleeping Drunkards)
The singing and the dancing die away
as cooling breezes fan the pleasant air,
inviting all to sleep
without a care.
Joshua Bell, Violin
John Constable, Harpsichord
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
III. Allegro
(The Hunt)
The hunters emerge at dawn,
ready for the chase,
with horns and dogs and cries.
Their quarry flees while they give chase.
Terrified and wounded, the prey struggles on,
but, harried, dies.
John Harrison, Violin
Wichita State University Chamber Players
The Four Seasons Op. 8 No. 4
L'INVERNO
(Winter Concerto)
in F Minor RV 297
Complete
Itzhak Perlman, Conductor/Violin
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
http://www.slideshare.net/goyewole/antonio-vivaldi-power-point?related=3

I. Allegro non molto
Shivering, frozen mid the frosty snow
in biting, stinging winds;
running to and fro to stamp one's icy feet,
teeth chattering in the bitter chill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqe0GdUpJHs
Itzhak Perlman, Violin
London Philharmonic Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxYpM8dpPVI#t=80

II. Largo
To rest contentedly beside the hearth,
while those outside are drenched by pouring rain.
III. Allegro
We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously,
for fear of tripping and falling.
Then turn abruptly, slip, crash
on the ground and, rising,
hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up.
We feel the chill,
north winds coarse through the home
despite the locked and bolted doors…
this is winter, which nonetheless
brings its own delights.
Giulio Franzetti, Violin
Riccardo Muti, Conductor
The Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
LINKS
LESSON PLANS
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