Vivaldi's music has been a staple of classical music for centuries, and his most famous work, 'The Four Seasons,' continues to be widely popular today. Originating in Italy during Vivaldi's lifetime, the manuscript copy that exists is both accurately preserved and a source of interesting variants in the text.

One of the most valuable sources of Vivaldi's music is a manuscript set of instrumental parts for all four concertos, which are dedicated to Count Morzin of Bohemia. From this dedication, we learn that these concertos were not new works but had found favor with the count several years earlier.

'The Four Seasons' was first published in Amsterdam in 1725 as the first four of a set of twelve concertos by Vivaldi with the overall title 'Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione' (The Contest Between Harmony and Invention), opus 8. The first complete recording of them dates back to 1942, but it was after World War II that they achieved the broad popularity they enjoy today.

Although 'The Four Seasons' were not among the concertos transcribed by Bach, they soon came to public attention as Vivaldi's music continued to be rediscovered. The gradual revival of Vivaldi's music from that time was initially of interest to musicologists because of its influence on Bach, who had studied it and transcribed a number of the concertos for harpsichord.

Then, along with the rest of Vivaldi's output, 'The Four Seasons' fell out of the repertoire for over a century before being rediscovered in the early 20th century. Spring, perhaps the favorite of the French, was not only often heard in its original form but also arranged for larger forces and smaller ensembles.

The concertos were especially popular in France, where they were played many times in the Concert Spirituel. Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' are not only among the most popular pieces of classical music today but also circulated widely during the composer's time and inspired programmatic pieces by others.

Today, Vivaldi's music remains a beloved part of our cultural heritage, with 'The Four Seasons' being one of the most recognizable and iconic pieces in all of classical music.

Vivaldi music