Vivaldi-Four Seasons

Question 1

What is the instrumentation of the second movement of Spring

Answer 1

Solo violin
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola.

Question 2

Give the instrumentation of the first movement of Spring

Answer 2

Solo violin
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Double bass
Harpsichord

Question 3

Give the themes in the first movement and the images that these themes create

Answer 3

Ritornello - Spring has come
Episode 1- birds welcome Spring in happy song
Ritornello - Spring has come
Episode 2- streams flow gently in the gentle breeze
Ritornello- Spring has come
Episode 3- sky darkens thunder and lightning
Ritornello- Spring has come
Episode 4- birds return to sing
Ritornello - Spring has come.

Question 4

Give the image created in the second movement

Answer 4

On the pleasant flowery meadow the Shepard sleeps with his faithful dog barking by his side

Question 5

Give the key of the second movement of Spring

Answer 5

C# minor

Question 6

Give the main key of the first movement in Spring.

Answer 6

E major until third ritornello theme is in B major and then it modulates to c# minor

Question 7

Give the texture of the first movement of Spring

Answer 7

Homophonic and in episode 4, 1 polyphonic.

Question 8

Give the tempo markings for each move to in Spring

Answer 8

Movement 1: allegro (fast)

Movement 2: largo (slow)

Question 9

Give the time signature of each movement of Spring

Answer 9

Movement 1: common time
Movement 2: 3
4

Question 10

Name the composer of Spring and his dates

Answer 10

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Question 11

Give the musical features of bars 1-13 ritornello theme in the first movement of Spring

Answer 11

Key of E major
Tutti
Based on doh chord
Common time
Syncopation
Homophonic
Contrasting dynamics

Question 12

Give the musical features of bars 13-27 episode 1 in the first movement of Spring

Answer 12

Key of E major
Ornamented notes
Trills, mordents
Descending scales
High register
Imitation
Polyphonic

Question 13

Give the musical features of bars 27-31 2nd half of ritornello theme in the first movement of Spring

Answer 13

Tutti
Syncopation
Perfect cadence
Trill
Homophonic

Question 14

Give the musical features of bars 31-40 episode 2 in the first movement of Spring

Answer 14

Key of e mjaor
Tutti
Step movement 
Rising and falling
Descending scales
Repeated viola notes
Homophonic

Question 15

Give the musical features of bars 40-44 ritornello theme in the first movement of Spring

Answer 15

Key of B major
Modulates to dominant
Tutti
Syncopation 
Perfect cadence
Trill
Homophonic

Question 16

Give the musical features of bars 44-55 episode 3 in the first movement of Spring

Answer 16

Modulating to relative minor
Tutti
Tremolo
Ascending scales
Triplets
High register

Question 17

Give the musical features of bars 55-59 ritornello theme in the first movement of Spring

Answer 17

C# minor
Tutti
Contrasting minor key
Syncopation
Homophonic

Question 18

Give the musical features of bars 59-65 episode 4 in the first movement of Spring

Answer 18

Key of c# minor
Chromatic notes
Imitative
Trills
Polyphonic

Question 19

Give the musical features of bars 66-82 ritornello in the first movement of Spring

Answer 19

Key of E major
Tutti
Cadenza
Homophonic
Flowing semiquaver.

Question 20

What is the form of the second movement of Spring

Answer 20

A A1 Coda

Question 21

Give the musical features of A section in the second movement of Spring

Answer 21

Key of C # minor
Solo violin melody
Pianissimo (very soft)
Violin plays rhythmic ostinato. 
Demisemiquaver rhythm played by violins

Question 22

Give the musical features of A1 section in the second movement of Spring

Answer 22

Key of C# minor
Melody loosely based on A section
Pianissimo (very soft)
Viola plays rhythmic ostinato
Demisemiquaver rhythm played by violins

Question 23

Give the musical features of The coda of the second movement in Spring

Answer 23

Key of C# minor
Simple 4 bar phrase
Pianissimo (very soft)
Rhythmic ostinato and demisemiquavers continue
Ends of law chord (C# minor)