Olivier Baumont

The Italian Baroque composer was known as il prete rosse, the red priest, because of his auburn red hair. Vivaldi lived during the baroque period, a time in Europe between 1600 and 1700 when art and architecture were fancy, grand and decorative. Music, too was grand, filled with the rich sounds of flutes and trumpets and violins. Vivaldi's compositions were in the baroque style - elaborate, rhythmic and melodic.

Unlike a symphony where musicians all work together, a concerto is usually designed to show off the talents of one outstanding player. Vivaldi played the violin, wrote music rather quickly, and became a music teacher for a school of girls. He travelled and wrote operas, too. His music made people happy. The Four Seasons is said to be the 'ancestor concerto' which influenced later composers who were inspired by nature. Spring sounds like twittering birds; Summer sounds of unsettled weather; Autumn suggests hunting and Winter ends the concerto with ice and snow. Young musicians will enjoy, not only learning about this wonderful composer, but also interacting with some engaging activities like conducting a choir or making an instrument with wood and wire strings. Warm, earthy illustrations and excellent music make this a must-have for home, school and music library.… (mehr)