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The Four Seasons: Winter

In the first of four programmes marking the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Hannah French explores the Violin Concerto in F minor a.k.a. Winter.

In the first of four programmes across 2025 marking the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Hannah French explores the Violin Concerto in F minor, RV297 - better known as Winter.

From the trembling, teeth-chattering cold of the first movement to the fireside warmth of the second and the slippery ice and chill winds of the last, in this concerto Vivaldi vividly depicts the harsh brutality of the Venetian winter. Hannah considers the context and inspirations for the music, and shares other early music influenced by the season of frost and darkness. She talks to violinist Daniel Pioro, whose new recording of The Four Seasons couples Vivaldi's music with new poetry by Michael Morpurgo, about what Vivaldi's Winter means to him. And she sends us a sonic snapshot from a recent trip to the Venetian Lagoon, which completely froze over in the brutal winter of 1709 to devastating effect to local communities.

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14 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Feb 2025 17:00
大象传媒 Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Spring, RV.269 [The Four Seasons]

    Performer: Rachel Podger. Ensemble: Brecon Baroque.
    • CHANNEL.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Summer (The Four Seasons)

    Performer: Rachel Podger. Ensemble: Brecon Baroque.
    • VIVALDI: LE QUATTRO STAGIONI.
    • Channel Classics.
    • 4.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Autumn (The Four Seasons)

    Performer: Rachel Podger. Ensemble: Brecon Baroque.
    • VIVALDI: LE QUATTRO STAGIONI.
    • Channel Classics.
    • 7.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Winter (The Four Seasons)

    Performer: Rachel Podger. Ensemble: Brecon Baroque.
    • VIVALDI: LE QUATTRO STAGIONI.
    • Channel Classics.

  • Giovanni Antonio Guido

    L'Hyver mvts 1-2: La saison des frimats; Le cruel Aquilon nous d茅clare la guerre

    Performer: Andr茅s Gabetta. Performer: Andr茅s Gabetta. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Director: Andr茅s Gabetta. Director: Andr茅s Gabetta. Director: Andr茅s Gabetta. Director: Andr茅s Gabetta.
    • Ch芒teau de Versailles Spectacles.

  • Jean鈥怋aptiste Lully

    The winter that torments us (Isis)

    Choir: Ch艙ur de Chambre de Namur. Orchestra: Les Talens Lyriques. Conductor: Christophe Rousset.
    • Lully: Isis.
    • Aparte.
    • 67.

  • Henry Purcell

    What power art thou (King Arthur)

    Singer: Ashley Riches. Ensemble: Gabrieli Players. Conductor: Paul McCreesh.
    • Purcell: King Arthur, 1691.
    • Signum Records.
    • 22.

  • Henry Purcell

    King Arthur, Act 3 (Winter scene)

    Singer: Rowan Pierce. Singer: Ashley Riches. Ensemble: Giovanni Gabrieli. Conductor: Paul McCreesh.
    • Purcell: King Arthur, 1691.
    • Signum Records.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Gelido in ogni vena (Farnace)

    Singer: Nathalie Stutzmann. Ensemble: Orfeo 55.
    • Contralto.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 6.

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Winter (The Four Seasons)

    Performer: Daniel Pioro. Ensemble: Manchester Camerata.
    • PLATOON.

Broadcast

  • Sun 16 Feb 2025 17:00
    大象传媒 Radio 3

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