Vivaldi The Four Seasons

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1 Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Vivaldi The Four Seasons K at i D e b r e t z e n i director/violin oae released

2 Vivaldi The Four Seasons A dashing figure with long, flowing auburn hair and boyish good looks, Vivaldi was the musical pin-up of Baroque Venice. His vast musical output includes an astounding 500+ concertos, 86 solo and trio sonatas, some 46 operas and a substantial quantity of vocal music. He originally studied for the priesthood and received Holy Orders in 1703, earning the nickname Il prete rosso ( the red priest ) on account of the distinctive colour of his hair. Yet following his ordination, Vivaldi turned his back on the church and went in search of worldly musical employment. Just a few weeks later he was appointed maestro di violino at the Pio Ospedale della Pietà, one of four orphanages for girls in Venice. This was to remain his musical base for the greater part of his life, and it was for the highly gifted students at the Pietà that he composed much of his music. The Four Seasons forms the first third of a collection of twelve violin concertos published together in 1725 as Opus 8 with the overall title Il Cimento dell armonia e dell Inventione ( The Trial of Harmony and Invention ). The concertos broke new ground not only in terms of their detailed depiction of poetic ideas, but also their technical ingenuity most noteworthy in this regard are passages of rapid string-crossing with the bow and high-flying virtuosity for the left hand. Julian Haylock 2014 A n t o n i o V i v a l d i ( ) Le Quattro Stagione (The Four Seasons) La primavera (Spring) i Allegro/ ii Largo/ iii Allegro pastorale L estate (Summer) i Allegro non molto/ ii Adagio e piano Presto e forte/ iii Presto L autunno (Autumn) i Allegro/ ii Adagio molto/ iii Allegro L inverno (Winter) i Allegro non molto/ ii Largo/ iii Allegro Vivaldi's Four Seasons is the one piece of Classical music (alongside Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik) that is ubiquitously present in our lives. From lifts to ring-tones, there is no escaping it. The subtleties of its programme, however, are not always as evident. We all know that the birds sing at the beginning of Spring, but do we hear the peasants stagger around in a drunken stupor in Autumn? Are we aware of the relentless rain, or of people ice-skating and falling over in Winter? This Bruegel-esque musical scene-setting is one of the outstanding facets of the work, and Vivaldi is very specific when describing what his music should represent. So specific, in fact, that he writes a capital letter in front of every line of the sonnets he composed to accompany the concerti. These letters appear in the score at relevant places, and Vivaldi elaborates further by adding brief descriptive notes to the various instrumental parts. Here is a Guided tour of the Four Seasons, imparting those comments. The timings of the CD refer to the point in the score where the capital letters appear above the staves, linking the poems to the music. Vivaldi s comments, as printed underneath the various instrumental lines, are also given with their respective timings. May it add another layer to your listening experience. Kati Debretzeni, January 2014

3 S P R I N G S U M M E R A Giunto è la Primavera, e festosetti Spring has arrived merrily A Sotto dura Stagion dal Sole accesa Beneath the harsh season inflamed by the sun B La salutan gl augei con lieto canto the birds hail her with happy song; Langue l Uom, langue l Gregge, ed arde il Pino languishes man, languishes the flock, the pine tree burns; C e i fonti allo spirar de zefiretti meanwhile, at the breath of Zephyrs B Scioglie l Cucco la voce, e tosto intesa the cuckoo unleashes his voice; upon hearing it Con dolce mormorio scorrono intanto the streams flow with sweet murmur; C Canta la Tortorella, e l Gardellino. the turtle-dove and the goldfinch sing too. D Vengon coprendo l aer di nero ammanto Thunder and lightning, chosen to proclaim her D Zeffiro dolce spira, mà contesa Sweet Zephyrus blows, but suddenly E lampi, e tuoni ad annuntiarla aletti come covering the sky with a black mantle; muove Borea improviso al suo vicino Boreas opens a dispute with his neighbour; E Indi tacendo questi gl Augelletti when these fall silent, the little birds E e piange il Pastorel, perchè sospesa the shepherd weeps, awaiting a fierce storm, Tornan di nuovo al lor canoro incanto return once more to their melodious song; teme fiera Borasca, e l suo destino. and fearing for his destiny. F e quindi sul fiorito ameno Prato And so, on the pleasant, flowery meadow, F Toglie alle membra lasse il suo riposo His weary limbs are deprived of rest Al caro mormorar di frondi, e piante to the welcome murmuring of fronds and trees il timore de Lampi, e tuoni fieri by fear of lightening and fierce thunder, dorme il caprar col fido can à lato the goatherd sleeps with his trusty dog beside him. e de mosche, e mossoni il stuol furioso. and by furious swarms of flies and wasps G di Pastoral zampogna al suon festante To the festive sound of a shepherd s bagpipe G Ah che pur troppo i suoi timori son veri Alas his fears are so true! danzan Ninfe, e Pastor nel tetto amato nymphs and shepherds dance beneath the beloved roof Tuona, fulmina il Ciel, e grandinoso The sky thunders, flares, and hailstones di Primavera all apparir brillante at the joyful appearance of spring. Tronca il capo alle spiche, e a grani altieri. Sever the heads of proud grain crops. C D T i m i n g s First movement: A beginning of the ritornello; B 00:28 Canto de gl Ucelli (song of the birds) C 1:09 Scorrono i Fonti (trickling of the springs) ; D 1:38 Tuoni (thunder) ; E 2:12 Canto d Ucelli (birdsong). Second movement: F Mormorio di Frondi, e piante (murmuring of leaves and plants) in violin parts; Il Cane che grida (the barking dog) in viola part. Third movement: G Danza Pastorale (country dance) C D T i m i n g s First movement: A Languidezza per il caldo (languishing in the heath) ; B 01:06 Il Cucco (the cuckoo) ; C 01:56 La Tortorella (the turtle-dove) ; 02:39 Il Gardellino (the goldfinch) ; D 02:59 Zeffiretti dolci (gentle southern winds) ; 03:15 Vento Borea (north wind) in violin parts, Venti impettuosi (violent winds) in viola part, Venti diversi (various winds) in bass part. E 03:49 Il Pianto del Vilanello (the tears of the village boy) Second movement: F Moschi, e Mossoni (flies and wasps) in accompanying violin parts; 00:19 Tuoni (thunder) Third movement: G Tempo impettuoso d Estate (violent summer weather)

4 A U T U M N W I N T E R A Celebra il Villanel con balli, e canti The peasant celebrates with dance and song A Aggiacciato tremar trà nevi algenti To shiver frozen amidst the icy snow del felice raccolto il bel piacere the sweet pleasures of a rich harvest B Al severo spirar d orrido Vento at the harsh wind s chilled breath; B e del liquor de Bacco accesi tanti and, fired by Bacchus liquor, C Correr battendo i piedi ogni momento to run, stamping one s feet C Finiscono col sonno il Lor godere many end their enjoyment in slumber. D e per soverchio gel batter i denti whilst teeth chatter in the fierce cold; D Fà che ogn uno tralasci, e balli, e canti They abandon dance and song E Passar al foco i di quieti, e contenti to pass quiet and contented days by the fireside L aria, che temperata da piacere as the air, now fresh, lends pleasure, Mentre la poggia fuor bagna ben cento whilst the rain outside drenches hundreds; e La staggion ch invitta tanti, e tanti and the season invites so many F Caminar sopra l giaccio; e à passo lento to walk on ice, and with slow steps d un dolcissimo sonno al bel godere to rest in sweetest slumber. G Per timor di cader girsene intenti move cautiously for fear of falling; E Il Cacciator all nuov alba à Caccia At the new dawn, the hunters set out H Gir forte, sdrucciolar, cader à terra to go fast, slip, fall to the ground; Con corni, schioppi, e cani escono fuore with horns, guns and dogs to hunt; I di nuovo ir sopra l giaccio, e correr forte and again go on the ice, running fast, F Fugge la Belva, e seguono la traccia the wild beast flees, they follow it s tracks L Sin che l giaccio si rompe, e si disserra and take to the ice again, running fast/till the ice cracks G Già sbigottita, e lassa al gran rumore Bewildered by the great noise M Sentir uscir dalle ferrate porte to hear, coming through the iron gates, de schioppi, e cani, ferita minaccia of guns and dogs, wounded, N Sirocco, Borea, e tutti i venti in guerra Sirroco, Boreas, and all the winds at war. H Languida di fuggir, mà opressa muore. it tries to escape, but, overwhelmed, dies. Questi è l Verno, mà tal, che gioia apporte. T is Winter, but lo, what joy it brings! C D T i m i n g s First movement: A Ballo, e Canto de Villanelli (the peasants dance and song) ; B 01:09 L Ubriacho (The drunkard) in solo violin part; Ubriachi (drunkards) in bass part; 01:29 Ubriachi (drunkards) in all orchestral parts; C 03:41 L Ubriacho che dorme (the sleeping drunkard) in solo violin part. Second movement: D Ubriachi dormienti (sleeping drunkards) Third movement: E La Caccia (the hunt) ; F 01:39 La Fiera che Fugge (the beast in flight) ; G 01:46 Schioppi, e Cani (guns and dogs) in all orchestral parts; H 02:41 La fiera fuggendo Muore (the fleeing beast dies) in solo violin part. C D T i m i n g s First movement: A beginning; B 0:35 Orrido vento (harsh wind) ; C 01:15 Correre, e Batter li Piedi per il freddo (to run, and stamp the feet because of the cold) ; 01:48 Venti (winds) in orchestral parts; D 02:31 Batter li denti (chattering teeth). Second movement: E La Pioggia (the rain) in all orchestral parts. Third movement: F Il Giaccio (the ice) in bass part. G 00:29 Caminar piano, e con timore (to walk slowly and fearfully) ; H 00:45 ; 00:55 Cader à terra (to fall to the ground) ; I 00:59 Correr forte (to run fast) in solo violin part, Giaccio (ice) in orchestral violin parts. L 01:37 Il Giaccio si rompe (the ice breaks) ; M 01:54 Il Vento Sirocco (the warm wind) ; N 02:25 Il Vento Borea e tutti li Venti (the North wind and all the winds).

K at i D e b r e t z e n i Born in Transylvania, Kati studied the violin with Ora Shiran in Israel, and the Baroque violin with Catherine Mackintosh and Walter Reiter at the Royal College of Music in

Since the year 2000 she has led the English Baroque Soloists under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and her playing can be heard on their recordings of the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage (SDG).

5 K at i D e b r e t z e n i Born in Transylvania, Kati studied the violin with Ora Shiran in Israel, and the Baroque violin with Catherine Mackintosh and Walter Reiter at the Royal College of Music in London. Since the year 2000 she has led the English Baroque Soloists under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and her playing can be heard on their recordings of the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage (SDG). In 2008 she was appointed as one of the leaders of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, with whom she has often appeared as soloist, directing and leading the orchestra in performances in the UK, Europe and the US. Kati has recorded numerous chamber music CDs with the ensembles Florilegium (Chanel Classics), Ricordo (Linn Records) and most recently Trio Goya (Chandos). Additionally, she features as soloist on two versions of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, one with the European Brandenburg Ensemble under Trevor Pinnock (Avie Records Gramophone Award 2008), and the other with the English Baroque Soloists (SDG). Over the last few years, Kati has been invited to direct various ensembles in Israel, Canada, Norway, Poland, Iceland and the UK. She currently teaches the Baroque and Classical violin at the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague. Photo Joe Plommer O r c h e st r a o f t h e A g e o f E n l i g h t e n m e n t Just under three decades ago, a group of inquisitive London musicians took a long hard look at that curious institution we call the Orchestra, and decided to start again from scratch. They began by throwing out the rulebook. Put a single conductor in charge? No way. Specialise in repertoire of a particular era? Too restricting. Perfect a work and then move on? Too lazy. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was born. And as this distinctive ensemble playing on period-specific instruments began to get a foothold, it made a promise to itself. It vowed to keep questioning and inventing as long as it lived. Residencies at the Southbank Centre and the Glyndebourne Festival didn t numb its experimentalist bent. A major record deal didn t iron out its quirks. Instead, the OAE examined musical notes with ever more freedom and resolve. That creative thirst remains unquenched. Informal night-time performances are redefining concert formats. New generations of exploratory musicians are encouraged into its ranks. Great performances now become recordings on the orchestra s own CD label. It thrives internationally: New York and Amsterdam court it; Oxford and Bristol cherish it. Now in its 27th season, the OAE has even graced the outstanding conducting talents of Elder, Rattle, Jurowski and Fischer with a joint title. But don t ever think the ensemble has lost sight of its founding vow. Not all orchestras are the same. And there s nothing quite like this one. Andrew Mellor, 2014

6 O R C H E S T R A T h a n k Y o u This recording would not have been possible without the support of the following people. Director / Violin K at i D e b r e t z e n i First Violins A l i s o n B u r y R a c h e l I s s e r l i s Roy Mowat t C l a i r e S a n s o m Second Violins C l a r e S a l a m a n C at h e r i n e W e i s s S u s a n C a r p e n t e r - J a c o b s H e n r i e t ta W ay n e Violas J a n S c h l a p p A n n e t t e I s s e r l i s M a r t i n K e l ly Cellos J o n at h a n M a n s o n S u s a n S h e p pa r d Double Bass C h r i s t i n e S t i c h e r Harpsichord R o b e r t H o w a r t h Theorbo E l i z a b e t h K e n n y Jeremy Alexander Di Allison Stephen Benson Professor John Birks Mrs A Boettcher Haylee & Michael Bowsher Geoffrey Collens Christopher & Lesley Cooke Patricia & Stephen Crew Dr David Glynn Bruce Harris Irina Knaster John & Shirley Lloyd Roger Mears & Joanie Speers Tim & Jenny Morrison Clare Norburn & Alastair Ross Sam Price Alan Sainer John & Rosemary Shannon Sir Martin & Lady Smith Derek Sudgen Thank you also to all the other generous supporters of this recording, including those who wish to remain anonymous.

7 A n t o n i o L u c i o V i v a l d i ( ) T h e F o u r S e a s o n s T r a c k l i s t C o n c e r t o n o. 1 i n E m a j o r, O p. 8, R V 2 6 9, La primavera (Spring) 1) I. Allegro ) II. Largo e pianissimo sempre ) III. Danza pastorale: Allegro 4.21 C o n c e r t o n o. 2 i n G m i n o r, O p. 8, R V 3 1 5, L estate (Summer) 4) I. Allegro non moto ) II. Adagio Presto ) III. Presto 3.02 C o n c e r t o n o. 3 i n F m a j o r, O p. 8, R V 2 9 3, L autunno (Autumn) 7) I. Allegro ) II. Adagio molto ) III. Allegro 3.42 C o n c e r t o n o. 4 i n F m i n o r, O p. 8, R V 2 9 7, L inverno (Winter) 10) I. Allegro non molto ) II. Largo ) III. Allegro 1.53 Total Playing Time Recorded at St. Jude's-on-the-Hill Hampstead Garden Suburb, London on 9 & 10 February 2013 oae.co.uk twitter.com/theoae facebook.com/orchestraoftheageofenlightenment

Vivaldi The Four Seasons SIGCD377 With its vivid poetry and technical ingenuity, Vivaldi s Four Seasons was ground breaking at the time of its composition and to this day remains as influential and

8 Vivaldi The Four Seasons SIGCD377 With its vivid poetry and technical ingenuity, Vivaldi s Four Seasons was ground breaking at the time of its composition and to this day remains as influential and transfixing as ever. In this recording, violinist Kati Debretzeni directs the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in an energetic, historically informed performance. From the commanding heat of the Summer sun, to Winter s foreboding darkness, the power of Vivaldi s masterpiece is inescapable. Vivaldi The Four Seasons KATI DEBRETZENI violin/director O RCHES T R A O F THE AGE O F E N LIGHTENM ENT Signum Records Ltd, Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, United Kingdom Recorded at St Jude s on the Hill Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, on 9 & 10 February 2013 Producer & Editor Nick Parker Engineer Mike Hatch Recording Assistant George Pierson Design and Artwork Harrison Cover Illustration Chris Harrison / Scott Welti Total playing time oae.co.uk twitter/theoae facebook.com/orchestraoftheageofenlightenment Made in EU Vivaldi The Four Seasons 2014 OAE DDD SIGCD Signum Records 24 bit digital recording LC SIGCD377

Contents. Preface Violin Concerto in E major, RV 269, La Primavera "Spring" Violin Concerto in G minor, RV 315, L'Estate "Summer"...

Contents. Preface Violin Concerto in E major, RV 269, La Primavera Spring Violin Concerto in G minor, RV 315, L'Estate Summer... Contents Preface... 4 Violin Concerto in E major, RV 269, La Primavera "Spring"... 7 Violin Concerto in G minor, RV 315, L'Estate "Summer"... 23 Violin Concerto in F major, RV 293, L'Autunno "Autumn"...