Introduction
Some of the first works of program music, including instrumental music that depicts an extra-musical story, character, idea, or place, was introduced in the Baroque era. Music of that time was characterized by having long flowing melody and melodic lines with ornamentation, evident contrast between soft and loud, and a contrapuntal texture combined melodic lines. One of the most famous compositions of that epoch is “The Four Seasons,” which is a series of four violin concertos by Antonio Vivaldi.
The Movement and Concerto
The “Winter” concerto is the one that evokes in me the most vivid and strong emotions and memories. It describes frosty and shiny snow and biting wind that does not let a person breathe (“Vivaldi: Winter (the Four Seasons”). This composition’s first movement seems to be the most restless, disturbing, chilling, powerful, and even unstoppable. It pictures a person captured outside by wind and weather and trying to keep warm by running back and forth (“The Four Seasons”). The snow is biting and tingling, and the composition’s rhythm miraculously fully conveys this rhythmic feeling of coldness in the fingertips and awkward steps on icy feet (“Vivaldi: Winter (the Four Seasons”). The beat of the “Winter” is similar to one’s “teeth chattering in the bitter chill” (“The Four Seasons”). It is challenging to describe the level of tension and frightening beauty of both actual winter and the “Winter” of Vivaldi.
The Musical Style of the “Winter”
The texture of the “Winter” concerto resembles its respective season, and the brass genre makes the listeners feel the cold and chilling wind whistling in the bushes and stinging the neck. The sounds of the “Winter” in the key of D Minor are in unique harmony because of silvery pizzicato notes from the high strings that are resembling icy rain. As for the range of the composition, it builds up tension. It is composed in ritornello form and combines one violin soloist and the small string orchestra in three movements. The homophonic style of the “Winter” brings the listeners away.
Baroque Era
The form and the style of this musical composition are perfect examples of the Baroque era. “Winter” has a long flowing melody, and its melodic lines are exceptionally ornamental. There are an evident contrast and range between soft and loud sounds and a contrapuntal texture. Finally, terraced dynamics of the “Winter” build up tension, and the sudden changes in the volume level that create an effect of the storm are extraordinary.
Works Cited
“The Four Seasons.” Baroque Music, 2020. Web.
“Vivaldi: Winter (the Four Seasons), 1st mvt. Cynthia Freivogel & Voices of Music 4K UHD RV 297.” YouTube, uploaded by Voices of Music, 2016, Web.