Classics Explained: Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

1. 1
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Introduction. Opening, upward-pointing figure
   1:33
2. 2
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Answering, downward figure completes the phrase
   0:22
3. 3
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Beginning of dialogue
   0:25
4. 4
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The nature of musical conversation; repetition; ' echo ' effect
   1:26
5. 5
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Upward pointing to one ' target ' note
   0:40
6. 6
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: ' Answer ' points to two, downward notes
   0:11
7. 7
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Same idea repeated 3 times
   0:19
8. 8
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The first Solo section: Birdsong from three soloists, not one
   1:53
9. 9
   An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Repeat of ' two-pronged ' theme in orchestra
   0:22
10. 10
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Orchestra depicts murmuring stream, but still there's no real melody
    0:51
11. 11
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Further illustrative ' water studies '
    0:32
12. 12
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Orchestra erupts into thunderstorm
    0:27
13. 13
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Orchestral thunder, virtuosic ' lightning ' from soloist - But still no ' tune '
    0:54
14. 14
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloistic ' birds ' return to the air
    0:41
15. 15
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Variant of opening theme, with ' argument ' between two notes, one high, one low
    0:25
16. 16
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Cue to First Movement
    0:20
17. 17
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: First Movement (Complete)
    3:29
18. 18
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons, Scene setting and Main Theme of Second Movement
    1:56
19. 19
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Analytical comment and Main Theme again
    0:57
20. 20
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Main Theme varied
    0:41
21. 21
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Further variation, tracing slow, descending scale-steps
    0:43
22. 22
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Analytical discussion of ' pace ' and ' tempo ' ; further variant of main theme
    2:51
23. 23
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Vivaldi springs a surprise, reversing direction and heightening tension
    0:44
24. 24
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Analytical cue to Second Movement
    0:44
25. 25
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Second Movement (Complete)
    2:35
26. 26
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Undercover ' bagpipes ' initiate the finale
    1:05
27. 27
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Second part of Main Theme. New notes, same rhythm
    0:18
28. 28
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: An ' echo ' with a difference
    0:23
29. 29
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Reminder of ' echoed ' phrase in its original form
    0:12
30. 30
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Surprise variant provides springboard into new descending four-note pattern
    0:19
31. 31
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Unexpected, ' flowing ' entrance of soloist
    0:36
32. 32
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The use of ' sequence ' in first extended solo
    1:21
33. 33
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Vivaldi prepares expectation...
    0:19
34. 34
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: ... And frustrates It by bringing in a new theme, using his four-note ' motto '
    1:07
35. 35
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Violins accompanied by flowing ' commentary ' in lower strings
    0:34
36. 36
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist returns with new variant
    0:36
37. 37
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Pace slows as violins trace another four-note scalewise descent
    0:24
38. 38
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The peasants return with the main theme, which turns unexpectedly downward
    0:47
39. 39
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Intensification as harmonies change under broad, descending four-note ' motto '
    0:37
40. 40
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Mini-earthquake transformed into harmonic landslide
    0:46
41. 41
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Critical mood-change in soloist's lonely soliloquy
    0:42
42. 42
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Cue to restoration of main theme in its entirety as the movement ends
    0:22
43. 43
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Third Movement (complete)
    4:15
44. 44
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons, Scene setting and opening of First Movement
    0:34
45. 45
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Expanded groups of answering phrase
    0:24
46. 46
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Upper and lower strings alternately succumb to lethargy
    0:49
47. 47
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: As in ' Spring ', soloist enters with birdsong
    0:34
48. 48
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Orchestra hijacks soloist's material
    0:40
49. 49
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist returns,first as turtle-dove, then as goldfinch
    0:50
50. 50
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Gentle breezes give away to North Wing
    1:03
51. 51
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The storm subsides; soloist enters as weeping peasant boy
    1:00
52. 52
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Movement ends as storm returns
    0:17
53. 53
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: First Movement (complete)
    5:20
54. 54
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Second movement opens with extremecontrasts
    1:34
55. 55
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Second Movement (complete)
    2:28
56. 56
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Stormy Weather; thunder
    0:37
57. 57
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Lightning from upper strings
    0:22
58. 58
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: More lightning: ' heat ' lightning from violins, ' fork ' lightning from violas
    0:24
59. 59
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Torrential rain, depicted by entire orchestra
    0:46
60. 60
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Deferred entry of solo violin, in virtuoso vein
    0:54
61. 61
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Peasant's failing resolve as violin spirals down
    0:21
62. 62
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Nature triumphant; soloist draws on orchestra's 'rain' music
    1:35
63. 63
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The peasant's capitulation
    0:23
64. 64
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Third Movement (complete)
    3:03
65. 65
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Repetitiousness and folk music; the movement's opening
    1:17
66. 66
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Secondary theme, a closely related development of the first
    0:28
67. 67
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Solo entry restates the opening theme, ' double-stopping '
    1:05
68. 68
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Unexpectedly, a new theme where a repeat might be expected
    0:36
69. 69
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The soloist as ' drunkard '
    0:45
70. 70
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Further violinistic slips and slides
    0:15
71. 71
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Orchestra re-enters with main theme, but Is interrupted by the drunkard
    0:18
72. 72
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Other drunks join in ' dialogue ' with the orchestra
    1:01
73. 73
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The orchestral peasants continue their dancing, but things have changed
    0:57
74. 74
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Enter another drunk, courtesy of the virtuoso soloist
    0:40
75. 75
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The dance breaks up
    0:38
76. 76
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The drunkard interrupts again, then falls asleep, breathing heavily
    0:56
77. 77
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Conversation amongst the sober peasants leads to their final dance
    0:24
78. 78
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: First Movement (complete)
    4:46
79. 79
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons, Scene-setting for Second Movement
    1:08
80. 80
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Second Movement (complete)
    2:45
81. 81
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Similarities between the Third Movement and the First
    1:06
82. 82
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Expectation and surprise: Vivaldi tacks on one bar too many
    0:27
83. 83
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: A case of predictable unpredictablity: Novelty and repetition
    0:36
84. 84
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist's double-stopping depicts hunting horns
    0:34
85. 85
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Orchestra yields to unexpected display of virtuosity by soloist
    0:38
86. 86
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist suddenly takes the part of the fleeing beast
    0:25
87. 87
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Symmetrical paralels with First Movement: ' beast ' / ' drunkard ' etc
    0:47
88. 88
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Death of the quarry, end of the movement
    0:17
89. 89
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Third Movement (complete)
    3:13
90. 90
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Orchestral strings enter, part by part; soloist depicts the biting wind
    1:24
91. 91
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Wind subsides and returns, tormenting the trudgers through the snow
    0:53
92. 92
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist depicts snow flurries
    0:27
93. 93
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist's flurries interrupted by six blasts of orchestral wind
    0:32
94. 94
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Teeth chattering, and with stamping feet, the travellers finally reach their goal
    1:54
95. 95
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Cue to First Movement as a whole
    0:11
96. 96
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: First Movement (complete)
    3:24
97. 97
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist's ' aria ' accompanied by pizzicato ' raindrops '
    0:37
98. 98
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: A sequence of simple scales, accompanied by opening rhythm
    0:33
99. 99
    An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Two scalewise ideas for the price of one: Foreground and background
    0:52
100. 100
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: New, rising scale-pattern unfurled with ever-greater breadth
     0:36
101. 101
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The pace increases eight-fold in concluding downwards scale
     0:36
102. 102
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Against an unvarying tempo, the pace Is repeatedly varied
     1:03
103. 103
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Foreground / Background
     0:34
104. 104
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Detailed discussion of foreground / Background perceptions; analogies with speech
     2:14
105. 105
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Second Movement (complete)
     2:19
106. 106
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons, Scene-setting; soloist begins for the first time
     0:47
107. 107
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist rises progressively, in sequence, decoratively outling chord of the home key
     0:26
108. 108
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: First orchestral section; ace Is halved; the undermining onset of chromaticism
     0:47
109. 109
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: The walkers lose their balance and stylishly fall down
     0:22
110. 110
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Soloist returns as the original solitary walker and strides away from the others
     0:23
111. 111
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: One tempo, two rates of speed: Fast for the soloist, slow for the orchestra
     1:51
112. 112
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Orchestra evokes the warm winds of the Sirocco
     0:36
113. 113
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Answering blast from the Borea, the could wind of the north; struggle for supremacy
     1:07
114. 114
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Cue to final movement
     0:23
115. 115
     An Introduction to … VIVALDI, the Four Seasons: Third Movement (complete)
     3:08

Naxos