Musical works can evoke a range of feelings and emotions, reflecting the multifaceted nature of music. One such piece is the violin concerto “Winter,” which is part of four works by Antonio Vivaldi from the Four Seasons cycle (Caramez, 2014). Such compositional techniques as dissonant notes create a unique effect of cold and emptiness inherent in winter. Cellos, violas, and violins reflect the howling of the wind, the crackling of the fire in the fireplace, and other sounds that are typical of the cold season. As a result, by changing the dynamics of the harmonic scale, jumps and drawing parts are combined, thereby creating continuous tension.
The first violin part, performed by Julia Fischer, reflects various emotions that the composer put into this work. Particular tension is achieved through breaks, dissonances, and staccato parts. Vivaldi mixes the severity of winter with the approaching thaw and softness of spring. The composer shows how fickle nature can be by alternating loud and sharp passages with smooth melodies. The energetic finale, symbolizing the cold strength of winter, ends the concerto and the whole cycle with symphonic power. The Bavarian Radio Symphony Chamber Orchestra effectively conveys the musicians’ mood to the audience that applauds several times (Caramez, 2014). A sense of completeness and spiritual balance remains after listening. All sound accents are arranged in such a sequence that the listener experiences numerous feelings. Thus, “Winter” can be described as one of the strongest pieces of music from an emotional perspective.
Reference
Caramez, C. (2014). Vivaldi The four seasons – Winter – Julia Fischer [Video]. YouTube.