This week’s Symphony of Iowa features the wcfsymphony’s “Four Seasons II” concert on Sunday, April 9 at 4 p.m. and Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
Vivaldi’s classic is paired with a fabulous contemporary rendition of the same piece by German composer Max Richter. Both are performed by Iowa’s finest violinists in this intimate performance from Waterloo’s Brown Derby Ballroom. In Vivaldi’s original work, the music is accompanied by beautiful Italian sonnets, written (possibly) by Vivaldi himself, after he was inspired by painter Marco Ricci's paintings of the seasons. You can read the sonnets below. Tune in Sunday, April 9 at 4 p.m. and again on Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m. for IPR’s Symphonies of Iowa broadcast!
PROGRAM
VIVALDI – The Four Seasons: Winter & Spring
RICHTER – The Four Seasons Recomposed: Winter & Spring
FEATURING
Scott Conklin, Solo Violin
Beth Hoffman, Solo Violin
Jason Weinberger, Music Director and Conductor
(Concert recorded Feb. 15, 2017)
Winter
Allegro non molto
Shivering, frozen mid the frosty snow in biting, stinging winds;
running to and fro to stamp one's icy feet, teeth chattering in the bitter chill.
Largo
To rest contentedly beside the hearth, while those outside are drenched by pouring rain.
Allegro
We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling.
Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up.
We feel the chill north winds coarse through the home despite the locked and bolted doors…
this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.
Spring
Allegro
Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven,
Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.
Largo
On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.
Allegro
Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.