Answer preview for Listen and explain the piece first movement from Vivaldi Winter from his Four Season
This is for college music appreciation class. Listen and explain the piece first movement from Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’ from his Four Season
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56_E68yN5MI
The Four Seasons was one of the first compositions to explore ‘program music’. Program music is when a composer tells a story through the music. Discuss how this selection sounds like ‘winter’ using the terminology you’ve learned in the course (dynamics, texture, form, tempo, instruments, etc.)
When Vivaldi wrote this piece of music it was written for an all girl ensemble. The girls had been abandoned as babies/children for either being poor or illigitimate and lived in an orphanage where Vivaldi taught the children music. Keep in mind this is at a time in history where women were not considered ‘persons’ but ‘possessions. At this time, the only ‘goal’ for a girl was to be married. One of the many considerations in marriage would be if the girl was musically able (as it would transfer to her children, making them more ‘enlightened’). As an orphan, many of the girls would have a very difficult time finding a husband as they were considered the bottom of the barrel. During the time Vivaldi wrote this piece, the girls would play the music behind a screen (because it was considered inappropriate for girls to be on stage). A man in the audience would listen to the music and, if he found the performance to be engaging, would propose marriage to whichever sound caught his favor (as he wouldn’t be able to see what girl played what). After the girl accepted his proposal she had to sign a contract saying she would never perform in public again.
Discuss your reaction knowing this piece of music would have been played by girls for this intention. In particular, discuss the virtuosity and consider – these girls would be teenagers – what is your reaction to the level of talent that would have been retired once the girl was married?
Please tie all musical elements together showing how a mood is created. For example, the beginning has a mysterious mood as a result of pianissimo dynamics, slow tempo and a shimmering tone color in the strings.
Answer preview for Listen and explain the piece first movement from Vivaldi Winter from his Four Season
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