Violin Concerto

Description

Journal No. 2:      Violin Concerto in F Minor Op. 8 no. 4, “Winter”  Same video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2nE2LfVzh0   Start at the 37:32 minute mark. Listen to all three movements.  Here is Vivaldi’s programmatic description. Violin Concerto in F Minor Op. 8 no. 4, “Winter” I. Allegro non-molto II. Largo III. Allegro  Allegro non-molto:      Shivering, frozen mid the frosty snow in biting, stinging winds; running to and fro to stamp one’s icy feet, teeth chattering in the bitter chill. Largo:            To rest contentedly beside the hearth, while those outside are drenched by pouring rain. Allegro:            We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling. Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up. We feel the chill north winds coarse through the home despite the locked and bolted doors… this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights. Write down your impressions of the piece. What do you think of the entire thing? Maybe give your impression of a movement. What images did you dream of as you listen to the entire work? Maybe talk about each movement. Maybe talk about one movement. Maybe talk about how he showed “shivering”  by sound, or “winds” or stamping one’s feet in the cold. What sounds show these ideas? Maybe highlight a particular second or minute and explain why this worked or did not work for you. Or maybe you discovered something the performer did that helped you get an idea. Maybe discuss why you liked it or disliked it. Maybe you got different images pouring into your head and it was not the same as Vivaldi’s (very possible as his experience 400 years ago is different from the 21st Century. They did not have electricity.) Write about that.   Treat the “journal” as an exercise in capturing your thoughts and ideas about what you listen to. Be able to write words that can describe the sounds you hear. The questions above are only suggestions as to what to say. You may have other ways of expressing your thoughts. How will you describe this music?