To celebrate the season and optimism of Spring we need to acknowledge a remarkable selection that continues to remain important to audiences. Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741) was an Italian composer of the Baroque period. Although he wrote hundreds of compositions, one of his most famous “The Four Seasons” was written originally for the girls orchestra formed at the Ospendale – an institution that provided boys with education in trades and girls with music instruction. From 1717 – 1721 he wrote the music for this four – piece masterpiece of program music.
Here is the sonnet that Antonio Vivaldi wrote to accompany the first movement:
La Primavera (Spring)
Opus 8, No. 1, in E Major
I. Allergo –
Spring has arrived with joy,
Welcomed by the birds with happy songs,
And the brooks, amidst gentle breezes,
Murmur sweetly as they flow.
The sky is caped in black, and
Thunder and lightning announce a storm.
When they fall silent, the birds
Take up again their delightful songs.
II. Largo e pianissimo sempre –
And in the pleasant, blossom-filled meadow,
To the gentle murmur of leaves and plants,
The goatherd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.
III. Danza pastorale. Allegro –
To the merry sounds of a rustic bagpipes,
Nymphs and shepherds dance in their beloved spot,
When Spring appears in appearance.
If you listen carefully you will hear the scenes described in the sonnet during the first movement of “The Four Seasons” – Spring:
If you are interested in exploring Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” listen to each movement and read the accompanying sonnet. Which movement do you prefer? Each movement tries to demonstrate the notable changes of each season.
As many of the Primary Classes are studying Spring I thought I would contribute by including references to two different composers who wrote instrumental music about insects that help pollinate gardens.
The first composer is named Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He was consider one of the great Russian nationalist composers of the Romantic period of music. He wrote a composition for orchestra entitled “Flight of the Bumblee” (1899 – 1900). It was originally written as an orchestral interlude for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan.
The second composer is named Frederic Chopin. He was a Polish composer and considered to be one of the best virtuoso pianists of the Romantic period. He wrote primarily solo piano repertoire and entitled Etude Opus 25, No. 9 in G-flat major the “Butterfly” etude. (An etude is a short yet difficult musical composition that demonstrates a particular fingering skill or technique.)
Can you imagine both insects when you hear the compositions played? The Romantic Period of Classical Music includes many compositions that use different instruments and playing techniques to replicate sounds of nature or common experiences.
On Wednesday March 11 2020 grade one, two and three students represented Nelson Elementary when our school hosted a performance of Primary Days of Music. We welcomed five other schools – Maywood, South Slope, Cascade Heights, Westridge and Glenwood Elementary to our gym. We were honoured to be the only school with the largest number of school choirs participating. Here are the two selections we sang as our solo repertoire:
I miss all of you and wish I could see you in person. However the present reality we find ourselves in won’t allow that to happen in the near future. But I still have lots of enthusiasm about music and the activities we could still experience through class meetings and this blog. I hope to provide activities for you to enjoy regardless of whether you’re a primary or intermediate student.
To see the Musical Literacy Bingo Sheet click here.
Intermediate students are needing to complete the Musical Literacy Bingo Sheet as an assignment in Teams. Primary students – if you haven’t received this activity yet from your classroom teachers you could find it here on my blog.
I also hope to have musical recordings of myself available so that you can listen and sing along at your leisure and experience a break in your academic study. Don’t forget that “We’re All in This Together”.
At Nelson Elementary we are fortunate to have a school song. The lyrics were written in the fall of 2001 by Ila Chapman – a former head teacher at Nelson Elementary. The song is based on the tune “Oh, Lonesome Me!” sung by Don Gibson in 1958. She wrote the lyrics highlight the qualities encouraged for Nelson students. As a school community we sing this song to conclude each assembly or important gathering. Although presently we are unable to gather together hopefully you and your family will sing this song and feel connected to our larger Nelson family.