Antonio Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

Stephanplatz

1010 Wien

 

In this concert of Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral, listen to the gentle winds and violent thunderstorms, bird voices and the barking of a dog, the hunting and a farmer's dance that Vivaldi composed into his music. Vivaldi knew like no other how to create musical images that stimulate the imagination and captivate the audience.

Where would it be more fitting to perform Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" - a parable of life and death - than in St. Stephen's Cathedral, where his funeral festivities were celebrated after the composer's death in 1741? In 1740, a poor Vivaldi arrived in Vienna, with high hopes for patronage from the Emperor. Only ten months after his arrival, Vivaldi passed away and was therefore buried in Vienna.

J. S. Bach's Violin Concerto in E major compliments the programme, taking Vivaldi's concertos as a model. It therefore contains hints of Vivaldi on the one hand, and Bach's unmistakable musical spirit with virtuoso solos on the other. The dialogue between the strings and the soloist creates an entertaining and lively concert experience that wonderfully rounds off Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Performers

Harmonia Ensemble Vienna

The Harmonia Ensemble Vienna was formed to pass on masterful interpretations to the next generation, to mix great experience with young esprit, to let the joy of making music together spill over to the audience and to prepare and arrange programs with great attention to detail.

The musicians of the ensemble consist of experienced chamber musicians who are and have been members of renowned string quartets and piano trios for many years - many of them teach at universities and music schools - , soloists with great successes in international competitions, and graduates, some of whom have studied with the experienced ensemble members. The ensemble can be expanded with wind and vocal soloists, which significantly enriches the repertoire.

In the Harmonia Ensemble, the musicians are united by the joy of making music together. For years they have supported the Vienna St. Stephen‘s Cathedral with their very successful Summer and Advent concerts.

(Source: kunstkultur.com)