A N T O N I O V I VA L D I

16781741

THE FOUR SEASONS from Il cimento dellarmonia e dellinventione

CONCERTO NO.1 IN E Op.8 No.1 RV269 La Primavera Spring
1
2
3

I
II
III

Allegro
Largo
Allegro

3.31
2.50
4.19

CONCERTO NO.2 IN G MINOR Op.8 No.2 RV315 LEstate Summer

4
5
6

I
II
III

Allegro non molto Allegro

Adagio e piano Presto e forte
Presto

5.40
2.20
2.42

CONCERTO NO.3 IN F Op.8 No.3 RV293 LAutunno Autumn

7
8
9

I
II
III

Allegro
Adagio molto
Allegro

5.22
2.43
3.27

CONCERTO NO.4 IN F MINOR Op.8 No.4 RV297 LInverno Winter

10
11
12

I
II
III

Allegro non molto

Largo
Allegro

3.25
2.22
3.27

CONCERTO IN G MINOR Op.12 No.1 RV317

13
14
15

I
II
III

Allegro
Largo
Allegro

3.41
4.30
3.15

Bonus track

CONCERTO IN A MINOR Op.2 No.6

16

RV 356

Allegro

3.08
57.15
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SARAH CHANG

violin

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Violin I Richard Rood, Laura Frautschi,
Adela Pea, Ronnie Bauch
Violin II Liang Ping How, Joanna Jenner,
Rene Jolles, Sophia Kessinger
Viola David Cerrutti, Christof Huebner,
Jenny Douglas, Shmuel Katz
Cello Melissa Meell, Jonathan Spitz,
James Wilson
Bass Jordan Frazier
Harpsichord John Gibbons

ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

The Grammy award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is internationally
renowned for its fine artistry and distinctive approach to music-making, with a
performing and recording legacy spanning 35 years. Performing with many of todays
most dynamic and esteemed soloists, Orpheus presents an annual concert series at
Carnegie Hall that illuminates both classic orchestral repertoire and new works by
contemporary composers. Noted by critics and audiences alike for their unsurpassed
energy, sensitivity, and connection to listeners, Orpheus is considered one of New
Yorks cultural treasures.
Orpheus tours on a regular basis throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. The
Orpheus recording legacy consists of more than 70 albums and a 2001 Grammy
Award. This recording is the orchestras first release on EMI, and the groups extensive
catalogue includes releases on the Deutsche Grammophon, Decca, SONY Classical,
and Nonesuch labels.
Founded in 1972 by cellist Julian Fifer and a group of fellow musicians who aspired to
present musician-led performances, Orpheus is a self-governing organisation. Central
to its distinctive personality is its practice of sharing and rotating leadership roles.
Please visit the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra website, www.orpheusnyc.org, for more
information on the ensemble, the musicians, performances, and special events.
MetLife Foundation is the Official Tour Sponsor of Orpheus

The sonnets are crucial to the concertos

one cant go without the other. I dont know
of another composer who was so specific in
wanting certain images portrayed in the
music not only giving them to you as a
guideline but also pinpointing the content of
the poetry and the music, section by section.
These ideas are integral to the way I play The
Four Seasons.

La Primavera

Spring

Allegro
Giunt la Primavera e festosetti
la Salutan glAugei con lieto canto
e i fonti allo Spirar de Zeffiretti
con dolce mormorio Scorrono intanto:
vengon coprendo laer di nero amanto
e Lampi, e tuoni ad annuntiarla eletti
indi tacendo questi, glAugelletti
tornan di nuovo al lor canoro incanto.

Allegro
Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return
with festive song, and murmuring streams
are softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring,
roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven,
then they die away to silence, and the little birds
take up their charming songs once more.

Largo
E quindi sul fiorito ameno prato
al caro mormorio di fronde e piante
dorme l Caprar col fido can lato.

Largo
On the flower-strewn meadow,
with leafy branches rustling overhead,
the goatherd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.

Allegro
Di pastoral Zampogna al suon festante
danzan Ninfe e Pastor nel tetto amato
di primavera allapparir brillante.

Allegro
Led by the sound of rustic bagpipes,
nymphs and shepherds lightly dance
beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.

Der Frhling

Le Printemps

Allegro
Der Frhling ist gekommen, und freudig
begren ihn die Vgel mit frohem Gesang,
und das Suseln der Zephirwinde begleiten
die Quellen mit sanftem Gemurmel.
Die Luft mit schwarzem Mantel umhllend
knden auch Blitz und Donner den Frhling.
Wenn sie verstummen, singen von neuem
die kleinen Vgel ihr zauberhaftes Lied.

Allegro
Le printemps est arriv et les oiseaux
ftent sa venue avec des chants joyeux,
le doux murmure des fontaines
rpond aux souffles des zphyrs ;
couvrant lair dun noir manteau,
lorage et ses clairs annoncent le printemps,
puis, le silence revenu, les oiselets
reprennent leur beau concert.

Largo
Und dort schlft auf blumiger Aue
zum sanften Flstern der Bltter und Grser
der Ziegenhirt, der treue Hund ihm zur Seite.

Largo
Sur le joli pr fleuri,
au tendre murmure des feuillages,
le chevrier dort, son chien fidle ses cts.

Allegro
Zu den festlichen Klngen des Dudelsacks
tanzen Nymphen und Hirte zur Ankunft
des Frhlings in seinem prachtvollen Reich.

Allegro
Au son festif dune musette rustique,
nymphes et bergers dansent sous laimable toit
du printemps qui parat dans toute sa splendeur.

LEstate

Summer

Allegro non molto Allegro

Sotto dura Staggion dal Sole accesa
langue lhuom, langue l gregge, ed arde il Pino;
scioglie il Cucco la Voce, e tosto intesa
canta la Tortorella e l gardelino.

Allegro non molto Allegro

Under a hard Season, fired up by the Sun
languishes man, languishes the flock and burns the pine;
we hear the cuckoos voice; then sweet songs
of the turtledove and finch are heard.

Zeffiro dolce Spira, m contesa

muove Borea improviso al Suo vicino;
e piange il Pastorel, perche sospesa
teme fiera borasca, e l suo destino.

Soft breezes stir the air, but threatening north wind

sweeps them suddenly aside.
The shepherd trembles,
fearing violent storms and his fate.

Adagio e piano - Presto e forte

Toglie alle membra lasse il Suo riposo
il timore de Lampi, e tuoni fieri
e de mosche, e mossoni il Stuol furioso!

Adagio e piano Presto e forte

The fear of lightning and fierce thunder
robs his tired limbs of rest
as gnats and flies buzz furiously around.

Presto
Ah che pur troppo i Suo timor Son veri
tuona e fulmina il Ciel e grandioso
tronca il capo alle Spiche e a gran alteri.

Presto
Alas, his fears were justified:
the Heavens thunder and roar and the hail
cuts the head off the wheat and damages the grain.

Der Sommer

Lt

Allegro non molto Allegro

Unter der harten Zeit sengender Sonne
leiden Hirte und Herde und glht die Pinie;
der Kuckuck erhebt seine Stimme, und einig mit ihm
singen auch bald Turteltaube und Distelfink.

Allegro non molto Allegro

Sous la dure saison enflamme par le soleil,
lhomme languit, le btail languit, le pin brle ;
on entend la voix du coucou, et tt le matin
le chant de la tourterelle et du chardonneret.

Sanft haucht der Zephir, doch zum Wettstreit

fordert jh der Nordwind den Nachbarn heraus;
und der Hirte weint, denn er frchtet
ihr wildes Wten und bangt um sein Schicksal.

Zphyre souffle doucement, mais soudain

Bore vient chercher querelle son voisin ;
et le ptre, craignant la menace
dune sauvage bourrasque, dplore son destin .

Adagio e piano Presto e forte

Den matten Gliedern raubt ihre Ruhe
die Furcht vor Blitzen und wildem Donnern,
der Fliegenund Mcken wtendes Schwirren!

Adagio e piano Presto e forte

Ses membres las sont privs de repos
par la crainte des clairs, du tonnerre froce,
et lessaim furieux des mouches et moucherons !

Presto
Ach, nur zu wahr ist seine Furcht,
der Himmel donnert und blitzt, und der Hagel
enthauptet die hren und stolzen Halme.

Presto
Ah, ses craintes ntaient que trop vraies :
le ciel tonne, fulmine et la grle,
coupe la tte des pis et couche les grains.

LAutunno

Autumn

Allegro
Celebra il Vilanel con balli e Canti
del felice raccolto il bel piacere
e del liquor de Bacco accesi tanti
finiscono col Sonno il lor godere.

Allegro
The peasants celebrate, with songs and dances,
the pleasure of a bountiful harvest.
And fired up by Bacchuss liquor,
many end their revelry in sleep.

Adagio molto
F ch ogn uno tralasci e balli e canti
laria che temperata d piacere,
e la Staggion chinvita tanti e tanti
dun dolcissimo Sonno al bel godere.

Adagio molto
Everyone is made to forget their cares and to sing and dance
by the air which is tempered with pleasure
And by the season that invites so many, many
to enjoy their sweetest slumber.

Allegro
I cacciator all nov alba caccia
con corni, Schioppi, e canni escono fuore
fugge la belua, e Seguono la traccia;
gi Sbigottita, e lassa al gran rumore
de Schioppi e canni, ferita minaccia
languida di fuggir, m oppressa muore.

Allegro
The hunters emerge at the new dawn,
and with horns and dogs and guns depart upon their hunting
the beast flees and they follow its trail;
terrified and tired of the great noise
of guns and dogs, the beast, wounded, threatens
languidly to flee, but harried, dies.

Der Herbst

LAutomne

Allegro
Die Bauern feiern mit Tnzen und Liedern
die Freude der glcklichen Ernte,
und, vom Bacchustrunke entflammt,
beenden sie schlafend ihr Freudenfest.

Allegro
Les paysans clbrent par des danses et chants
le beau plaisir dune rcolte abondante
et, enflamms par la liqueur de Bacchus,
plus dun termine la fte en sendormant.

Adagio molto
Wohlig und mild lsst die Luft
die Lieder und Tnze verklingen,
und viele lockt wieder die Jahreszeit
zur Freude sesten Schlummers.

Adagio molto
Chacun dlaisse chant et danse,
pouss par la douceur de lair
et la saison qui invite tout le monde
jouir dun dlicieux sommeil.

Allegro
Die Jger ziehen am neuen Morgen zur Jagd
mit Hrnern, Flinten und Hunden,
das Wild flieht, und sie folgen der Spur;
erschreckt und ermattet vom lauten Lrmen
der Flinten und Hunde, verwundet und schwach
droht es zu entkommen, doch verendet erschpft.

Allegro
Les chasseurs sortent laube
avec leurs cors, leurs fusils et leurs chiens,
le gibier fuit, ils suivent sa trace ;
saisie de frayeur et lasse du vacarme
des armes et des chiens, la bte blesse
tente de fuir, mais elle meurt puise.

LInverno

Winter

Allegro non molto

Aggiacciato tremar tr neri algenti
al Severo Spirar dorrido Vento,
correr battendo i piedi ogni momento;
e pel Soverchio gel batter i denti;

Allegro non molto

Shivering, frozen mid the frosty snow
in biting, stinging winds;
running to and fro to stamp ones icy feet,
teeth chattering in the bitter chill.

Largo
passar al foco i di quieti e contenti
mentre la pioggia fuor bagna ben cento.

Largo
To rest contentedly beside the hearth,
while those outside are drenched by pouring rain.

Allegro
Caminar Sopra l giaccio, e passo lento
per timor di cader gersene intenti;
gir forte Sdruzziolar, cader terra
di nuove ir Sopra l giaccio e correr forte
sin chil giaccio si rompe, e si disserra;
sentir uscir dalle ferrate porte
sirocco Borea, e tutti i Venti in guerra
quest l verno, m tal, che gioja apporte.

Allegro
We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously,
for fear of tripping and falling.
Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground
and, rising, hasten on across the ice
lest it cracks up.
We feel the chill north winds course through the home
despite the locked and bolted doors.
This is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.

Der Winter

LHiver

Allegro non molto

Eisiges Zittern im silbrigen Schnee,
im frostigen Hauch des schaurigen Windes,
laufen und unentwegt mit den Fen stapfen
und in grimmiger Klte mit den Zhnen klappern;

Allegro non molto

Se geler et trembler dans la neige argente
au souffle pre dun vent terrible,
courir et taper des pieds chaque instant ;
claquer des dents dans le froid mordant.

Largo
am Feuer heiter und ruhig die Tage verbringen,
whrend drauen der Regen viele durchnsst.

Largo
Passer des jours paisibles auprs du feu
pendant que la pluie fait rage au dehors.

Allegro
bers Eis gehen mit bedchtigem Schritt
aus Furcht, falsch zu treten und zu fallen;
krftig schreiten, ausgleiten, zu Boden fallen,
wieder aufs Eis gehen und krftig ausschreiten,
bis das Eis bricht und sich ffnet.
Hren, wie sich hinter verriegelten Tren
Schirokko und alle Winde zum Wettstreit rsten.
Das ist der Winter, doch so bringt er Freude.

Allegro
Marcher sur la glace pas lents
par crainte dune chute, et faire des dtours ;
tourner brusquement, glisser, tomber terre,
se relever et courir bien vite
avant que la glace ne rompe ;
entendre surgir de leurs portes de fer
Sirocco, Bore, et tous les vents en guerre,
tel est lhiver, mais tel quil apporte la joie.

bersetzung: Gudrun Meier

Traduction : Jean-Claude Poyet

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Recorded: 21, 23 & 24.V.2007, SUNY Purchase College, New York

Producer: Stephen Johns
Recording engineer: Tim Martyn
Editing & mastering: Simon Kiln
Monitored using B & W loudspeakers
A&R manager: Kerry Brown
Photography: Cliff Watts
Design: Darren Rumney for WLP Ltd
Booklet editor: Megan Skinner for WLP Ltd
P 2007 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by EMI Records Ltd.
C 2007 EMI Records Ltd. DDD

www.emiclassics.com www.changvivaldi.com www.orpheusnyc.org

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