The Season of Autumn
In a previous post I provided historical information about the composer Antonio Vivaldi. As the weather changes from the season of summer I will focus upon his third movement of the famous “The Four Seasons” – Autumn. This movement, written in 1720 at the height of the Baroque period, has three sections:
- a country dance at a harvest festival (fast in tempo)
- hearing the cooler air of the season arrive (slow in tempo)
- a Baroque hunt through the woods (fast in tempo)
He wrote this sonnet to accompany this movement:
Allegro
The peasant celebrates with song and dance the harvest safely gathered in.
The cup of Bacchus flows freely, and many find their relief in deep slumber.
Adagio molto
The singing and the dancing die away
as cooling breezes fan the pleasant air,
inviting all to sleep
without a care.
Allegro
The hunters emerge at dawn,
ready for the chase,
with horns and dogs and cries.
Their quarry flees while they give chase.
Terrified and wounded, the prey struggles on,
but, harried, dies.
For further historical information behind Vivaldi writing “The Four Seasons” I present in this illustrated children’s book. Listen carefully and you will discover not only why the composition was written and but for what ensemble.
Although the original composition is written for string orchestra more modern ensembles have incorporated different instruments to replicate the famous third movement of “Autumn.” Here is a different string ensemble playing this composition.
I will complete this post with one last version of “Autumn” that is accompanied by illustrations of fall foliage. Perhaps you could also create your own visuals while listening to this movement.