Vivaldi: Le Quattro Stagione

Vivaldi: Le Quattro Stagione

1. La Primavera

   • I
     • Storm (bar 44). Notes in unison, quick demi-semi quavers.
     • Lightning (bar 45). Fast rising scale, viola + B.C play heavy Bs - raindrops.
     • The breeze/river (bar 31). Smooth, softer dynamics, harmonics played in 3rds, slurred in pairs, gentle, slow minims, calm.
   • II
     • Section E: 2nd bird song.
     • "Strappato" (Wrenched).
     • Viola = barking dog.
     • Longer rhythmic durations over faster accompaniment = irregular breathing
   • III
     • Dotted rhythms, compound time 12/8 = dance rhythm
     • Tonic + dominant pedal note drone = like bagpipes.
     • Descending tetrachord (bars 11 + 25).
     • Bar 36 - modualtes to E, bar 38 cadence in A then goes to D.

2. L'Estate

   • All mvmts. in Gm = dramatic, emotional, builds tension.
   • I
     • Opening: Rests on first beat of bar + accents towards weaker beats. Gives sense of langour and ambiguity.
       • Soft dynamics, short fragmented phrases = tired, too hot to do anything
     • The Cuckoo (1st solo episode)
       • Melody weaved among fast semi-quaver passages
       • Timbre: Melody notes specifically played on different string to repeated Gs in order to make it sing out.
     • La Tortorella/Turtledove (2nd solo episode)
       • Dotted quavers followed by rapid alternating semi-quavers between D and Eb. Gives sense of fast moving bird.
       • Set above a tonic pedal in B.C, adds a poignant, expressive dissonance against later falling Ab to G motif.
     • Il Gardellino/Goldfinch (3rd solo episode)
       • High tessitura, use of trills + sort rapid phrases imitate a bird call.
     • Sweet Zephyrus Wind
       • Soft dynamics, narrow range of 3 notes by step.
       • Gentle legato triplets frequently repeated - sense of calm.
       • Harmonised in 3rds, high pitch, no B.C.
     • Boreas Wind
       • Rapid demi-semi-quaver movement, wide range, played strongly.
       • Turbulent scalic passages "blow around" repeated tetra chords before "getting stuck" in the next tetra chord further down the scale = Vivacity + tumult in contrast with Zephyrus.

3. L'Autunno

   • I
     • F major = associated with folkdlore/dance, french horn is naturally in F.
     • Predominantly chords I + V.
     • Limited range of pitch.
     • Reference to Bacchus - Greek God of Wine.
     • Dynamics echo horn melody.
     • L'ubriaco (drunk)
       • Large range of pitch/
       • Scales = staggering/losing balance
       • Mimicking by accomp. of violin solo part, rising arpeggios etc.
     • Modulation to Gm bars 47-8
     • Syncopated rhythms bars 74-5
     • Tritones bars 44,55-6
     • Larghetto
       • Loses B.C = floating, high pitch
       • Pulsating violin part
   • II
     • No solo
     • Harmony - use of IVc6
     • Suspensions + dissonances, irregular phrase lengths = not restful sleep
     • No clear pulse.
   • III "La Caccia" (The Hunt)

4. L'Inverno

   • I
     • Dissonant harmonies, tritones, extended chords
     • Gradually builds up in layers - different to other ritornellos
     • Trills = icy
     • Section B: Breath of harsh winter wind in Cm
     • Section D: Chattering teeth
       • Repeated demi-semi quavers
       • High pitch/tessitura
       • No B.C.
     • Double stops - harsher tone
     • Suspensions bars 48-9
     • F minor tonality
       • 2nd inversion dominant chord with added 6th in 2nd bar = icy
     • 1st solo episode - C minor, rapid octave leaping, scalic demi-semi quaver passages = harsh winter wind
   • II
     • Pizz. = Raindrops
     • Viola = Calm
     • Violin solo = contenment
     • Descending sequences bars 3-4