Since Vivaldi's rediscovery in the 20th century, his "Four Seasons" have been considered the epitome of Baroque program music - and a classic par excellence.
Vivaldi himself also seems to have particularly appreciated the concertos. For the first edition published in 1725, he prefaced each of the four pieces with an Italian sonnet. The individual lines of verse reappear in the musical text - as a guide for interpretation. Birdsong, natural moods, country life and hunting scenes are thus brought to life musically.
Astor Piazzolla's "Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas" offer a contrasting program.
Created between 1965 and 1970 as independent tango compositions, they depict the seasons in the southern hemisphere - in Buenos Aires. The term "porteño" stands for everything associated with the Argentinian capital. Piazzolla's pieces are a Latin American counterpart to Vivaldi's world-famous concert cycle.
Two musical worlds - linked by the interplay of the seasons.
Antonio Vivaldi: Le quattro stagioni
Astor Piazzolla: Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas
Violin: Tamaki Kawakubo
Conductor: Jurek Dybal