In the works of Baroque masters, one can find many references to winter weather and Christmas celebrations. The most famous musical illustrations of this period include the last of the violin concertos, Le quattro stagioni, by Antonio Vivaldi. Each part of the cycle was accompanied by an appropriately themed sonnet. “We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously” – this is the verse of the poem attached to the final movement of the concerto L’inverno. Was Vivaldi himself the author of the poetry? Possibly. However, it is certain that the musical means he used perfectly reflect the weather conditions described in the written text. The composer fully demonstrates his ability to reflect poetic narrative through sounds in his less frequently performed, yet exquisite religious solo motets. Both in Sum in medio tempestatum RV 632 and in Longe mala, umbrae, terrores RV 629, energetic passages depicting storms and turmoil contrast with soothing heavenly melodies and a joyful Hallelujah.
Both the angst-provoking snow-white landscapes with frosty gusts of wind and the the joys of winter celebrations are perfectly conveyed by Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755) in the secular cantata L’hyver from the cycle Les quatre saisons (The Four Seasons) from 1724. The spirit of Christmas is also evoked by Pastorale per il S.S. Natale by Giuseppe Torelli. The sixth of twelve concerti grossi Op. 8 ends with a joyful procession of shepherds who come down from the mountains to welcome the newborn Infant. Their exultation is also beautifully portrayed by Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725) in the cantata O di Betlemme, which closes the concert program.
PROGRAM
Antonio Vivaldi – Sum in medio tempestatum RV 632
Aria Sum in medio tempestatum
Recitativo Quid ergo faciam
Aria Semper maesta
Alleluia
Antonio Vivaldi – L’inverno RV 297
Allegro non molto – Largo – Allegro
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier – L’Hyver
Charmans Zephirs
L’Hyver porte par tout ses funestes ravages
Les vents brisent leurs chaines
Le ciel, pour nous livrer la guerre
Souverain maitre du toner
Mais au milieu de tant d’allarmes
Quel aimable fête
J’apperçois la Muse tragique
En vain Borée armé de frimas et de glace
Le doux Printemps ranime
Giuseppe Torelli – Pastorale per il S.S. Natale
Grave – Vivace – Largo – Vivace
Antonio Vivaldi – Longe mala, umbrae, terrores RV 629
Antonio Vivaldi – Longe mala, umbrae, terrores RV 629
Aria Longe mala, umbrae, terrores
Recitativo Recedite, nubes et fulgura
Aria Descende, o coeli vox
Alleluia
Alessandro Scarlatti – O di Betlemme altera povertà venturosa
Introduzione
Recitativo O di Betlemme altera
Aria Dal bel seno d’una stella
Recitativo Presa d’uomo la forma
Aria L’autor d’ogni mio bene
Recitativo Fortunati pastori
Aria Toccò la prima sorte a voi
PERFORMERS
OLGA PASIECZNIK SOPRANO
ANNA RADZIEJEWSKA MEZZOSOPRANO
MICHAŁ PIOTROWSKI VIOLIN
THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA
KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA HARPSICHORD, CONDUCTOR
Duration: approx. 2h 15 mins (with an intermission)
The seats in the auditorium are not numbered.
