Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, published in 1725, is among the most celebrated examples of musical storytelling, or “program music”. Each of the four violin concertos portrays a different season and is paired with a sonnet whose scenes from nature and everyday life are vividly reflected in the music.

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In “Winter,” Vivaldi evokes the season’s biting cold through shivers, icy winds, and clattering teeth. The slow second movement retreats indoors, offering a scene of warmth and contentment while rain can be heard falling outside. In the finale, the music ventures onto the ice, depicting cautious steps, sudden slips, and the return of icy winds.

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“Spring” greets the new season with one of Vivaldi’s most recognizable melodies. Birdsong, flowing streams, and a sudden thunderstorm fill the first movement, while the peaceful second movement portrays a sleeping goat herd with his faithful dog beside him. The final movement is a festive rustic dance, bringing the concerto, and springtime, to a spirited close.