"La Primavera" from "The four Seasons", op. 8, no. 1

RV 269
Antonio Vivaldi
1725
Duration: 12'
Allegro
Largo e pianissimo sempre
Allegro

After a long winter in which the snow covers in white the great landscape, the spring arises like a colorful explosion, the flowers, the butterflies and the song of the birds initiates with a joy hymn whereupon this beautiful station is received.

The birds add themselves to the general joy with their trills and warblings (three solo violins). Afar the smooth murmur of a water little stream singsong is listened to, also in spring there are terrible heavy downpours announced with the lightning and the thunderclap.

The second movement draws a scene where a little shepherd has remained slept,  the smooth wind produces a beautiful murmur and the violin solo describes the sweet and calm dream of the little shepherd. In the third movement a popular celebration is described with jubilant songs and dances because of the Spring’s arrival.

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