The Four Seasons by Vivaldi in Madrid
Madrid, El Ateneo de Madrid – Cátedra Mayor
About the Event
Experience an unforgettable event at the picturesque El Ateneo de Madrid – Cátedra Mayor. Delight in Antonio Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' performed by strings quintet and harpsichord in the stunning setting of Cátedra Mayor of Ateneo de Madrid.
Listen to the iconic musical piece by Vivaldi, a masterpiece of Italian Baroque music. With Elvin Dhimitri as the first violinist, the performance promises to captivate the audience with passionate energy and vibrant communication. Dhimitri's exceptional talent has garnered acclaim from performances around the world, making this event a must‐see for music enthusiasts.
Baroque composers like Werner and Fischer explored the theme of the seasons in their works, but Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' stands out for its unparalleled pictorial detail. The Baroque era's fascination with nature is evident in Vivaldi's composition, reflecting the period's shift in attitude towards the natural world and the universe.
Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' is a symbol of the Baroque era, offering a unique musical experience with its vivid descriptions of nature and innovative musical language. Through his compositions, Vivaldi aims to astonish and engage listeners with imaginative melodies that vividly depict the changing seasons. The audience is invited to immerse themselves in the dramatic, nature‐inspired narrative unfolding through the music, embodying the essence of Baroque art's fascination with the wonders of the natural world.
Program
- Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto F XI No.4 in A Major, Allegro molto/Andante molto/Allegro
- Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto “La Rustica” RV 151 in G Major, Presto/Adagio/Allegro
- Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto RV 127 in D Minor, Allegro/Adagio/Allegro
- Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto No.1 in E Major, RV 269, “SPRING”, Allegro/Largo/Allegro (Pastorale dance)
- Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto No.2 in G Minor, RV 315, “SUMMER”, Allegro non molto, Allegro/Adagio‐Presto‐Adagio/Presto (Summer Storm)
- Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto No.3 in F Major, RV 293, “AUTUMN”, Allegro (Peasant Dance and Song)/Adagio molto (Sleeping Drunkards)/Allegro (The Hunt)
- Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto No.4 in F Minor, RV 297, “WINTER”, Allegro non molto/Largo/Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi went down in history as a creator of the instrumental concert genre and the father of orchestral music. He was born in Venice on the 4th of March 1678. Vivaldi was a weak and sickly child suffering from asthma, however could not stop him from devoting himself completely to music. His father, Giovanni Batista a professional violinist, taught his elder son Antonio to play the violin. With his father young Antonio met the best musicians of Venice of that time and gave concerts in local churches. He also worked as a violin teacher and later as a music director at the orphanage Ospedalle della Pieta. Meanwhile he composed concertos, sacred works and vocal music and in 1713 he achieved great recognition with his sacred choral music. Vivaldi got captivated by the world of opera and worked both as opera composer and impresario at the Teatro San Angelo. In 1717 he obtained a prestigious position by the prince court in Manua as a director of secular music and worked there until around 1720. During that time he composed his world-renowned masterpiece The Four Seasons. In the 1730's his career dwindled as his music became unfashionable and the great composer died in poverty. It took the world two centuries to rediscover and reevaluate Vivaldi’s music, as it was buried into oblivion after his death. In the early 20th century many previously unknown works were found and immediately captured the hearts of the music lovers.
Address
El Ateneo de Madrid – Cátedra Mayor, C. del Prado 21 , Madrid, Spain — Google Maps
