"La Primavera" ("Spring") from Le Quattro Stagioni (The Four Seasons), op. 8, no. 1

Question 1

What kind of writing does <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> demonstrate?

Answer 1

idiomatic writing,

programmatic writing

Question 2

What is the genre of <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 2

solo violin concerto

Question 3

When was <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> composed?

Answer 3

1725

Question 4

What is the subtitle of the collection of <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 4

<i>Ill cimento dell’armonia e dell’inverzione</i>

(The Contest between Harmony and Inspiration)</i>

Question 5

What is the source of inspiration for <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>? (program

Answer 5

the sonnets, most likely writing by Vivaldi describing the four seasons,

(portions of the text printed above corresponding passages)

Question 6

What are the performing forces of <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 6

solo violin, strings, and <i>continuo</i>

Question 7

What is the key for the <u>First Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 7

E major

Question 8

What is the tempo of the <u>First Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 8

<i>Allegro</i>

Question 9

What is the time signature of the <u>First Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 9

C

Question 10

What is the form of <u>First Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 10

<i>ritornello</i> form

Question 11

How does the <u>First Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> depict <b>spring’s arrival</b>?

Answer 11

spirited rhythmic figures,
bright character,
celebratory dance-like quality

Question 12

How does <u>First Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> depict <b>birds celebrating the festive song</b>?

Answer 12

high pitched trills,

repeated-note figures

Question 13

How does <u>First Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> depict <b>murmuring streams caressed by gentle breezes</b>?

Answer 13

violins play a rapid <b>undulating figure</b>

Question 14

How does <u>First Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> depict storm clouds, darkened sky, thunder, and lightning?

Answer 14

<i>tremolo</i> (quick repetition) by violins,

rising 32nd note scales

Question 15

What is the key of the <u>Second Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 15

C# minor

Question 16

What is the tempo of the <u>Second Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 16

<i>Largo</i>

Question 17

What is the time signature for the<u>Second Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 17

3/4

Question 18

How does <u>Second Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> depict the <b>sleeping goatherd</b>?

Answer 18

solo violin’s langorous melody

Question 19

How does <u>Second Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> depict the <b>rustling leaves</b>?

Answer 19

violin’s dotted-note figure in parallel thirds

Question 20

How does <u>Second Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i> depict the <b>barking dog</b>?

Answer 20

the viola <i>ostinato</i>

Question 21

What is the key for the <u>Third Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 21

E major

Question 22

What is the tempo for the <u>Third Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 22

<i>Allegro</i>

Question 23

What is the time signature for the <u>Third Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 23

12/8

Question 24

What is the form of the <u>Third Movement</u> of “La Primavera” from <i>La Quattro Stagioni</i>?

Answer 24

<i>ritornello</i> form

Question 25

Which characters are dancing gaily in the Third Movement of "La Primavera" from La Quattro Stagioni?

Answer 25

Nymphs and shepherds

Question 26

How does the Third Movement of "La Primavera" from La Quattro Stagioni depict the bagpipes?

Answer 26

bass note suggest drones of bagpipes

Question 27

How does the Third Movement of "La Primavera" from La Quattro Stagioni create a dance-like character?

Answer 27

compound meter