Four Seasons Listening Worksheet
The Four Seasons
Antonio Vivaldi • Programmatic Music & Listening Guide
Name: Date:
Class: Period:
Programmatic Music: Instrumental music that tells a specific story or paints a vivid scene. Vivaldi paired each concerto with an Italian sonnet, embedding poetic stage directions directly into the musicians' sheet music!
Concerto No. 1: Spring (La Primavera)
Birdsong, Murmuring Streams & Spring Thunder
Key: E Major • Allegro
“Spring has arrived, and joyfully the birds greet her with cheerful song, while at Zephyr's breath the streams flow with gentle murmurs... Then thunder and lightning cast dark shadows across the sky.”
1. Tone Painting: Avian Motifs
Listen to the high violin solo following the main orchestral theme. What musical technique creates the sound of birds chirping (e.g., trills, staccato, rapid repeated notes)? Describe the effect:
2. The Sudden Thunderstorm
How does the music abruptly shift when the spring storm arrives? Contrast the orchestra's dynamics (volume) and pitch with the gentle birdsong:
3. Movement II (Largo): The Sleeping Goatherd and His Faithful Dog
In the slow second movement, the solo violin plays a sweet melody representing the sleeping shepherd, while the violas play repeated barking notes. Which musical term best describes this sharp, accented bowing? How does it contrast with the solo violin's smooth legato?
Concerto No. 2: Summer (L'Estate)
Oppressive Heat & The Violent Hailstorm
Key: G Minor • Adagio / Presto
“Beneath the merciless sun, man and flock languish and the pine burns; the cuckoo begins to call... But dread of the sudden tempest fills the shepherd's heart, as hailstones crush the standing corn.”
4. Expressing Exhaustion
Notice the slow tempo, heavy pauses, and minor key at the opening. How does Vivaldi make the orchestra sound breathless and weighed down by summer heat?
5. The Presto Finale (The Tempest)
The third movement erupts into a violent fury. Describe how the rapid string scales and driving rhythm evoke lightning flashes and falling hailstones:
Antonio Vivaldi: Op. 8, Nos. 1–4 (1725) Page 1 of 2 Musical Storytelling & Orchestral Timbre
The Four Seasons • Part II
Autumn Harvest, Icy Winter & Listening Synthesis
Student Name:
Concerto No. 3: Autumn (L'Autunno)
Harvest Dance, Deep Sleep & The Morning Hunt
Key: F Major • Allegro / Adagio molto
“Peasants celebrate the bountiful harvest with dances and songs; warmed by Bacchus's liquor, many end their joy in sleep... At dawn, hunters set out with horns, hounds, and guns to pursue the beast.”
6. The Rustic Folk Dance
The opening movement mimics country fiddling and bagpipes. What rhythmic quality makes this music feel festive, bouncy, and dance-like?
7. "The Hunt" (La Caccia)
In Movement III, violins imitate hunting horns with triadic fanfare motifs. How does the tempo and mood differ from the quiet slumber in Movement II?
Concerto No. 4: Winter (L'Inverno)
Freezing Winds, Stamping Feet & The Warm Hearth
Key: F Minor • Allegro non molto / Largo
“Shivering frozen in the icy snow, while biting winds blow; stamping feet continuously against the bitter cold, and chattering teeth... Spending peaceful, contented days by the fireplace while rain pours outside.”
8. Shivering Strings & Tremolo
The strings begin with rapid, repeated notes (tremolo) entering instrument by instrument. How does this build tension and mimic teeth chattering or shivering?
9. Plucking the Raindrops (Pizzicato)
In Movement II (Largo), the backing strings play pizzicato (plucking the strings) while the solo violin sings a warm melody. What natural sound does the pizzicato imitate?
Critical Listening Reflection: Painting Without Words Synthesis
Choose your favorite movement from The Four Seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter). Explain how Vivaldi uses dynamics (volume), tempo (speed), or instrumentation to convey the emotions and weather of that season:
Antonio Vivaldi: Op. 8, Nos. 1–4 (1725) Page 2 of 2 Program Music, String Techniques & Italian Sonnets
