The “Spring” (RV 269) from the “Four Seasons” is the first of Twelve Concertos op. 8 for violin and orchestra published in Amsterdam
towards the end of 1725 by Michel-Charles Le Cène under the title of Il cimento dell’armonia e dell’invenzione (The Battle between
Harmony and Inspiration).
Like the other ones, this “Season” is accompagnied by a sonetto dimostrativo (a descriptive sonnet) made up of written verses
illustrating in detail the “programme” of this miniature dramma per musica. The narrative runs as follows:
I. Allegro (F Major): The spring theme of the first few measures forms the refrain of a vivid account whose stanzas are focused on
birds, fountains, wind, and thunderstorms.
II. Largo (D Minor): The shepherd is sunk in sleep on the leafy ground, lulled by soft breezes.
III. Allegro (F Major): Nymphs and shepherds join in a peasant dance written in rondo form.
The lines in Italian come from the original sonnets while the text in brackets, which is translated into German, was added to the score
by Vivaldi himself to supplement the description given by the poems.
The reduction to recorder duet is based on the original five-part score. The musical text follows the Amsterdam edition in addition to
the Manchester manuscripts. As might be expected, the phrasing and dynamics of this edition have been adapted for performance on
the recorder.
To preserve the overall interpretation of the work along optimum lines, several changes of recorder are necessary during performance.
Accordingly, the executants should have the following instruments available and in readiness: Soprano/descant and alto/treble recorders
(1st part), alto/treble and tenor recorders (2nd part).
