Sample played by London Brass

10026 – Winter from “The Seasons”

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Arranged by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: Hard

Price: £30

Programme notes:

The Seasons are the first 12 concertos published in 1723 as Opus 8 under the title ‘The Contest of Harmony and Invention’. After the fashion of the time Vivaldi added titles to some of these pieces and also, in ‘The Seasons’, descriptive sonnets which he said would ‘explain the music more easily’ The Winter sonnets:

Shivering in the frozen snow

And at the cruel blast of ther biting wind,

Stamping one’s feet continuously

And, because of the ceaseless cold, one’s teeth chatter.

Resting by the fire in peace and contentment whilst outside the rain pours down.

Walking on the ice, cautiously at first

For fear of slipping and falling.

Then waling more boldly, slipping and falling down

Once again on the ice, walking with the growing confidence

Until, finally, the ice cracks and breaks.

Hearing through the iron gate,

The Sirocco, the Bora, and all the winds in conflict.

This is then Winter, which ,despite everything, also brings great pleasure.

Performance notes:

The organ part is optional and the part provided is only a guide. A competent organist can use the continuo part from another version if required.

Trumpet 1 requires a small trumpet.

The flourishes, such as ata bat 12, should be played lightly and care should be taken to match the dynamic and articulation of the participants.

The muted accompaniment in the 2nd movement should be well in the background and in the style of gently plucked strings.

In the 3rd movement, again take care that the accompaniment is in context, never heavy. Some freedom should be used in the ‘dramatic’ gestures such as at bar 40, 73, 89 etc.