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Tune of the Day: Allegro from Winter
Today we present the third and final movement from Antonio Vivaldi's violin concerto Winter, which is part of the famous set known as The Four Seasons. This Allegro begins slowly, as if to convey one's bracing for the cold. Gradually the music comes to life, but with frosty swirls and the wind howling and chilling. The pacing slows in the latter half as another dark mood threatens to overtake the proceedings, but the music suddenly springs to life with great vigor, and the work ends in a positive, if somewhat tense mood.
Here is the sonnet that goes along with this movement:
Walking on ice, and moving cautiously,
With slow steps, for fear of falling;
Spinning around, slipping, falling down,
Again walking on ice and running fast
Until the ice cracks and splits;
Hearing Sirocco, Boreas, and all the winds at war
Burst forth from the bolted doors
This is winter, which nonetheless brings joy.
Thanks to Benny for requesting this movement!