Morgan

**__Morgan's Listening Assignment__** __**Title of piece**__: Vivaldi The Four Seasons __**Composer:**__ Antonio Vivaldi
 * __Performer:__** Julia Fischer
 * __Musical time period:__** Baroque

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__**Information on the peice:**__ The Four Seasons is a set of violin concertos by Antonio Vivaldi. There are four concertos, each named after a season. Each concerto has three movements.The first concerto of the four seasons is called spring. The second is summer, the third is autumn, and the last is winter. The four seasons concertos were composed by Antonio Vivaldi, in 1723. Each concerto has a different texture as to represent the appropriate season. Each concertos first and last movements are fast, while the middle ones are slower. Although the concertos were composed in 1723 they were first published two years later in 1725. The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of baroque music. There are also sonnets written to go along with the piece.

Antonio Vivaldi was born March 4th, 1678 and died July 28th, 1741. He was born in Venice, Italy. His parents were Giovanni Battista Vivaldi and Camilla Calicchio, he also had five siblings. His father Giovanni taught Antonio Vivaldi how to play the violin. At the age of fifteen he started studying to become a priest, and was ordained in 1705, at the age of 25. He was soon nicknamed "The red priest" (il prete rosso) because of his red hair. Antonio Vivaldi had had health problems since he was born, explained as a tightness in the chest, which is know thought to have been asthma, which prevented him from playing wind instruments. Antonio was only 25 when he started working at a home for abandoned children, where they taught the girls how to play an instrument. If they were talented they stayed and played in the orchestra there. During his time there Vivaldi composed many pieces especially for them. Antonio started his musical career in 1713, as an opra composer. Between then and until 1725 he moved around Europe due to different jobs. In 1725 he moved back to Venice, during this time he composed the Four Seasons.
 * __Information on the composer:__**


 * __Analysis of the piece:__**


 * Spring:** The first movement is an allegro. The second is Largo, and finally the third movement is once again an allegro. The opening notes are cheery and loud. They seem to resemble the birds chirpping, and the beginning of spring. The notes are short and crisp, resembling the newness of spring. The melody is usually cheery and fast, creating a new and fresh feel, resembling warmth and happiness. The music really reminds you of spring, the feel and tone of the music help to do that. This performance by Julia Fischer suits the song well, the setting of the place, her clothing and appearance in general.


 * Summer:** This piece has three movements as well, the first (allegro) and last (presto) are faster, while the middle one (adagio) is slower. Similar to spring, this piece summer showcases the features of summer. Imitating animals, weather and more. There are lots of dynamic changes which are usually sudden, as opposed to gradual. The last movement of summer seems to resemble a thunder storm (therefore this part is often dubbed storm). As the first piece, Julia Fischer performs this piece very well, again the setting and her clothing are immaculate.


 * Autumn:** As the first two pieces, the first (allegro) and last (allegro) movements are fast, while the middle one (Adagio) is slower. In this piece you feel that winter is coming. There is a briskness about this piece that you feel in the air during autumn. During this piece you feel like you are getting ready for the winter ahead, and even though you can tell winter's coming, it's still cheerful, warm and inviting. The changes in dynamic continue to occur in this piece. In this performance Julia is wearing a red dress, with gold shoes. Which represents the colours of autumn, and once again the setting suits the piece, and what time of the year the piece is in.


 * Winter:** Winter is by far the darkest season of this piece. There are lots of high sharp notes in this piece. Also lots of pizzicato, representing the icy rain. The first (allegro) and last (allegro) movements are faster, while the middle one (largo) is slower, just as it is in the other three pieces. In this piece you feel the coldness and cruelness of winter. As well as that you also feel the fun and joy of winter, being in the snow. The high pitched and fast, sharp notes create a really cold icy feeling. The piece sometimes has a really dark feel to it, showing you the darkness of winter such as snow storms. During the largo movement, it seems to be more happy and light, as if someone is playing in the snow, or enjoying a drink beside a roaring fireplace, feeling the bliss of winter. In this performance Julia wears icy blue colours, which really mixes well with the iciness of the piece. The setting also has nice blue lights which really add to the feel of the piece.

Antonio composed more than 500 other concertos, about 350 are solo pieces for instrument and strings. About 230 of those are for violin. He also composed over 45 operas, as well as some sonatas and chamber music.
 * __Other works by Antonio Vivaldi:__**
 * Violin Concerto in A minor
 * Violin Concerto in G major
 * Chello Concerto in A minor
 * Bassoon Concerto in E minor
 * Violin Sonata in F major
 * La fida ninfa opera (3 acts)