Sheet Music: Winter: Largo

TitleWinter: Largo
from The Four Seasons
Alternate titlesL'inverno from Le quattro stagioni, Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione
Opus numberOp. 8, No. 4, RV 297, Mvmt. 2
ComposerAntonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
InstrumentationFlute and Piano
KeyE-flat major
RangeF4–D6
Time signature4/4
Tempo32 BPM
Performance time2:15
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (100 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.9 MB)
Play-along accompanimentMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (2 MB)
Date added2009-12-18
Last updated2009-12-18
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 7.8 (very popular)
Categories
Baroque, Concertos

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Friday 18 December 2009

Tune of the Day: Winter: Largo

from “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi

“L'inverno” (“Winter”) is the closing chapter in Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, a cycle of four violin concertos each inspired by an Italian sonnet whose pastoral scenes the composer attempts to describe in the music. Not surprisingly, this Concerto in F minor contains the least exuberant music, and at times even takes on a dark expressive manner.

That said, “Winter” still has its share of bright sounds and happy moods. The second movement in particular, marked Largo, brims with the kind of sweet lyricism that makes the listener long for snow-covered scenery and a warm fireplace. In fact, this lovely singing music depicts people warming themselves by a fire while a cold rain falls outside (in Venice, where Vivaldi lived, winter rarely produces snow), as described in the related sonnet:

Before the fire to pass peaceful
Contented days while the rain outside pours down.

Other Movements from the same Work

1.Spring Flute solo
2.Summer Flute solo
3.Autumn Flute trio
3.Autumn Flute solo
4.Winter: Allegro Flute solo
4.Winter: Allegro non molto Flute solo
4.Winter: Largo Flute & Piano