It’s
November and if you live in Cincinnati like I do, you know that this means the
days are growing shorter, the air is getting cooler, and the trees are getting
brighter! Autumn has always been my favorite season. Perhaps it’s the pumpkins
or the falling leaves, or maybe Thanksgiving. As I reflect on what this season
means to me, I can’t help but think of the many classical composers who wrote
lovely music based on the changing of the seasons.
Vivaldi’s
The Four Seasons is probably the most
iconic “seasons” piece. Having over 500 concertos to his name, Vivaldi wrote
many of his works for the young ladies at the school where he taught throughout
his life. Some pieces, however, were written for his own performance purposes
or for a patron. It is likely that The
Four Seasons was composed for these last two reasons. They are accompanied
by sonnets, likely written by the composer himself.
So
you probably knew Vivaldi’s musical depiction of the seasons, but what about
Glazunov’s? He wrote a magnificently orchestrated ballet in 4 scenes, one for
each season.
In
1875, Tchaikovsky was asked to write his own set of character pieces for the
St. Petersburg music magazine. He composed twelve short works for piano, one
for each month of the year. Since their conception, there have been many
different transcriptions of the various months.
Perhaps
you prefer choral music? Then you likely favor Haydn’s reflections on the
seasons in his oratorio, The Seasons.
The libretto was adapted by Baron Gottfried van Swieten from a poem by James
Thomson. The piece quickly became quite popular and was even printed in
multiple translations!
What
is your favorite “seasons” piece?
This
month, Clef Notes will look at a few favorites for each season, including a
special Thanksgiving playlist!
