The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi, composed around 1718-1720 and published in 1725 as part of a collection titled Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione ("The Contest Between Harmony and Invention"). It is Vivaldi's best-known work, and among the most popular pieces of classical music.

Each concerto depicts a season of the year, and each is associated with a sonnet, likely written by Vivaldi himself, that provides a descriptive narrative. The music is programmatic, meaning it attempts to musically represent specific images and sounds suggested by the sonnet. Vivaldi achieves this through various techniques, including tremolo to evoke shivering, pizzicato to imitate raindrops, and bird calls played on the violin.

The four concertos are:

• Spring (La primavera) in E major, RV 269
• Summer (L'estate) in G minor, RV 315
• Autumn (L'autunno) in F major, RV 293
• Winter (L'inverno) in F minor, RV 297

The concertos are scored for solo violin, string orchestra (violins, violas, cellos, and double basses), and basso continuo (usually harpsichord). They are structured in the standard three movements: fast-slow-fast.

The enduring popularity of The Four Seasons stems from its vivid musical depictions, its melodic inventiveness, and its accessible style. It has been arranged and adapted for numerous instruments and ensembles, and continues to be performed and recorded extensively.