Les Quatre Saisons

The Four Seasons are without question among the most famous compositions in Vivaldi’s oeuvre – perhaps even in all Baroque music. They comprise four concertos for violin, strings and bass continuo to which Vivaldi himself gave the programmatic titles “Spring”, “Summer”, “Autumn” and “Winter”. Each is preceded by a poem that presents the mood and scene of the season, which Vivaldi then depicts brilliantly in music – from thunder and lightning to birdsong and even a barking dog …

This Henle Urtext edition offers all four concertos in a single volume, and reflects the latest research. The preface has been written by Federico Maria Sardelli, one of the world’s most renowned Vivaldi experts. The edition draws on the first edition organised by Vivaldi himself and also on several contemporary manuscript copies, with important variants clearly presented. The edition leaves nothing to be desired – it even includes an additional solo part with fingerings and bowings by world-famous violinist Julia Fischer.