Vivaldi wrote hundreds of concerto-like compositions for string orchestra. What distinguishes these four concertos from the others is their evocative portrayal of natural settings. He not only gave to each
the title of one of the seasons, but introduced it with a poem, indicating
in his score what the music was describing.

Each concerto has three separate movements. Each is also written
for solo violin and string orchestra, plus ‘basso continuo' (it is the combination between the cello, double bass or bassoon and a
keyboard instrument - either a harpsichord or organ).

Concerto in E, ‘Spring'
‘Springtime is here and the birds welcome it in song', writes Vivaldi. The opening Allegro has a fresh and happy tune. Soloist and violins imitate bird song with runs
and trills; a flowing passage conjures up a stream and gentle breeze; while vigorous tremolo playing rapid scales and scampering little solo passages suggest a thunderstorm.

The second movement, Largo, which is a long, tender melody for solo violin with string accompaniment, paints the peaceful scene of a shepherd and his dog dozingunder some trees. In contrast, the closing Allegro is a relaxed ‘Pastoral dance' in which the soloist both plays along with and leads the rest of the orchestra.

Concerto in G minor, 'Summer'
Vivaldi's summer is a time of sultry, oppressive heat, broken by storms. The first movement, Allegro non molto, sets a lazy mood, under a hot sun, with little phrases
in the more reflective minor key.

This is followed by a more passionate interlude, with reminders of bird song, and further agitated passages as the wind gets up. In the central Adagio, a sleepy shepherd boy is disturbed by lighting as well as by swarms of gnats and flies! The storm breaks in the final Presto, heavy rain and hail lashing the fields and flattening
the corn.

Concerto in F, ‘Autumn'
Peasants celebrate the harvest with drinking and dancing. The happy dance tune of the opening Allegro is well known. The soloist repeats the dance with some
double-stopping (playing two notes together), followed by downward runs and other decorative passages. A Larghetto section suggests peasants falling asleep; but the movement ends with the dance.

The Adagio finds everybody dropping off into ‘sweet slumber' to a continuo accompaniment on the harpsichord. In the closing Allegro, the music portrays a
huntsman, with more double-stopping from the soloist. Fleeting figures on solo violin describe the panic of frightened game, then back comes the huntsman's theme.

Concerto in F minor, ‘Winter'
The start of the opening Allegro non molto suggests the ‘frozen snow' and ‘icy cold' of Vivaldi's poem. When the soloist enters, it sounds like the biting wind.

Tremolo strings portray people shivering and stamping their feet to keep warm. The following Largo is another long melody for the soloist, with pizzicato accompaniment, involving the warmth and comfort of the fireside. The soloist is also busy in the final Allegro, as people try to walk, and sometimes slip, on the ice.

Rapid solo passages conjure up more cold winds, and vigorous tremolo playing brings the movement to a dramatic close.

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