Is there a secret story hidden in 'The Four Seasons'?
Vivaldi’s 'The Four Seasons' was inspired by four sonnets, likely written by the composer himself, to narrate the story of each concerto.
Antonio Vivaldi's masterpiece is a pioneering example of 'program music,' where the composition tells a specific story. Each of the four concertos corresponds to a sonnet that describes seasonal scenes. Vivaldi used the orchestra to mimic nature, such as a barking dog in 'Spring' or a violent thunderstorm in 'Summer.' He even included specific cues in the sheet music, like 'the drunkards have fallen asleep,' to guide the performers. This narrative approach helped make the music accessible and remains a key reason for its enduring popularity 300 years later.
Nerd Mode
Published in 1725 as part of 'Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione' (The Contest Between Harmony and Invention), Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' revolutionized the Baroque concerto. While program music became popular in the 19th century, Vivaldi was a pioneer in the early 18th century by linking instrumental music to literary texts. Most scholars, including musicologist Paul Everett, believe Vivaldi wrote the accompanying sonnets himself because the musical cues align so perfectly with the poetic lines.The technical precision of the 'word-painting' is remarkable for the era. In 'Spring' (La primavera), the solo violin uses high-pitched trills to represent birdsong, while the violas play a repetitive rhythmic figure to represent a barking shepherd's dog. In 'Summer' (L'estate), the music mimics the oppressive heat through slow, lethargic tempos before erupting into a presto movement that simulates a sudden hailstorm. These techniques were groundbreaking for the time.Vivaldi’s use of the 'ritornello' form provided a structure that allowed these descriptive episodes to flourish without losing musical coherence. The original 1725 publication by Michel-Charles Le Cène in Amsterdam included the sonnets printed alongside the music, ensuring the audience understood the narrative intent. This blend of auditory storytelling and technical virtuosity is why the work is cited in almost every major music history curriculum today, such as those at the Juilliard School or the Royal Academy of Music.
Verified Fact
FP-0009242 · Feb 21, 2026