What Makes The Four Seasons Stand Out?
January 5, 2026
What Makes The Four Seasons Stand Out?
By Aaron Au
Nature is at the heart of Antonio Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons, which has resonated with audiences for over 300 years.
As familiar as the music is to our modern ears, it is helpful to remember how revolutionary this set of four concertos is. Music historian Betsy Schwarm notes that in his conception and execution of this kind of musical storytelling, Vivaldi “was generations ahead of his time.” So, what made The Four Seasons stand out from the other compositions of his era?
Accompanying the score of each concerto is a sonnet describing each season, most likely written by Vivaldi himself. This was unusual, not only in the scope of Vivaldi’s work but in Baroque repertoire in general. Earlier works, such as Bieber’s Battalia might have provided descriptions loosely associated with a movement of the music but this appears to be one of the first pieces that explicitly tied a detailed extramusical narrative so closely to specific musical ideas and motives. This type of musical storytelling, known as programmatic music, would become popular a generation or two later (Beethoven explored the concept in his Pastoral Symphony while Richard Strauss took the form to new heights in a piece like Don Quixote) but Vivaldi was among the first to pioneer this kind of music.
For those listening to The Four Seasons from Edmonton, there are two details that may enrich the listening experience. First, Italian winters are different than Edmonton winters where rain would have been the order of the day instead of snow. This especially affects how one imagines the second movement of Winter. Second, Vivaldi suffered from poor health and often experienced what he called strettezza di petto (“tightness of the chest” which was most likely asthma). This has led some to believe that the heat of Italian summers would have been particularly difficult for his health which led to his harsh musical expression of that season.
Listeners are invited to participate in this incredible musical and storytelling experience by keeping in mind the sonnets accompanying each season. Written below, are the sonnets, translated into English by Armand D’Angour (2019) along with some suggested musical associations to take note of.
Spring
Allegro
Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song, [violin trills]
and murmuring streams are [violin neighbouring notes]
softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, [repeated unison b’s, solo violin string crossings]
casting their dark mantle over heaven,
Then they die away to silence,
and the birds take up their charming songs once more. [violin duet, return of trills]
Largo
On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches
rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, [repeated orchestral neighbouring notes]
his faithful dog beside him. [solo viola repeated notes]
Allegro
Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, [orchestral drone on E and B]
nymphs and shepherds lightly dance
beneath spring's beautiful canopy.
Summer
Allegro non molto
Under a hard season, fired up by the sun
Languishes man, languishes the flock and burns the pine [semi-tone neighbouring notes]
We hear the cuckoo's voice; [solo violin octave string crossings]
then sweet songs of the turtledove and finch are heard.
Soft breezes stir the air, but threatening [violins alone]
the North Wind sweeps them suddenly aside. [sudden tutti orchestra entrance]
The shepherd trembles, [chromatic solo violin]
fearing violent storms and his fate.
Adagio e piano – Presto e forte
The fear of lightning and fierce thunder [repeated unison G’s]
Robs his tired limbs of rest
As gnats and flies buzz furiously around.
Presto
Alas, his fears were justified
The Heavens thunder and roar and with hail [descending octave tremelo]
Cut the head off the wheat and damages the grain. [descending violin scales]
Autumn
Allegro
Celebrates the peasant, with songs and dances,
The pleasure of a bountiful harvest.
And fired up by Bacchus' liquor, [descending solo violin arpeggios]
many end their revelry in sleep. [solo violin passage over repeated orchestral figure]
Adagio molto
Everyone is made to forget their cares and to sing and dance
By the air which is tempered with pleasure
And (by) the season that invites so many, many
Out of their sweetest slumber to fine enjoyment
Allegro
The hunters emerge at the new dawn,
And with horns and dogs and guns depart upon their hunting [“bouncy” unison string figure]
The beast flees and they follow its trail; [descending solo violin scales]
Terrified and tired of the great noise
Of guns and dogs, the beast, wounded, threatens [solo violin scales among repeated strings]
Languidly to flee, but harried, dies. [final slow section]
Winter
Allegro non molto
To tremble from cold in the icy snow, [repeated string dissonances]
In the harsh breath of a horrid wind; [solo violin scales]
To run, stamping one's feet every moment, [tutti orchestra string crossings]
Our teeth chattering in the extreme cold [repeated solo violin notes “chatter”]
Largo
Before the fire to pass peaceful,
Contented days while the rain outside pours down. [string pizzicato as “raindrops”]
Allegro
We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, [solo violin]
for fear of tripping and falling. [orchestral alternating scales]
Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, [orchestral “falling” scales]
rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up. [solo violin “rising” passage and solo violin falling arpeggios]
We feel the chill north winds course through the home
despite the locked and bolted doors... [gentle upper string passage]
this is winter, which nonetheless
brings its own delights. [vigorous solo violin scales with “chattering” orchestral interjections]
Don’t miss Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, performed by members of your ESO on February 5, 7 and 7. Tickets can be purchased here.
