The Four Seasons by Vivaldi

Frits Philips Muziekcentrum, Eindhoven, 5 October 2007


It has been a while since the last time we enjoyed classical music concert, especially in the Frits Philips Muziekcentrum Eindhoven. Then about two weeks ago Sri found an interesting performance, the complete Four Seasons of Antonio Vivaldi by English Chamber Orchestra and violinist Sarah Chang.
We got the tickets last week, bought a mid-price seat, the third row from the stage. We went with two friends of us.

So, yesterday we met in the music hall some times after 8 in the evening and hurrily checked in because the concert started at 8.15. Our seats were really very close to the stage so we could see clearly everything on it. Unfortunately the seats were the same height as the stage, meaning the sound will pass above our heads.

The concert started sharp on time (sigh..I wish rock concert follow this example). The first piece was the famous Brandenburg Concerto Nr. 3 by Bach. It was a simple performance, which was performed only by 11 persons: 3 violins, 3 violas, 3 cellos, 1 bass, and 1 harpsichord.

This famous piece from Bach was very nice to listen to, with some circling sound from the violins, violas, and cellos. As expected, the sound of the harpsichord was 'vaporized' in the air from where we sat.

After the brilliant performance and warm applause from the audience, the orchestra went inside and the stage was rearranged for bigger capacity. The second piece was something new for me, Serenade in Es Op. 6 by Josef Suk, apprentice of Dvorak.
The composition turned out to be very nice and melodious, although according to Sri the last two movements were a bit like movie soundtrack.

After that we had a break for about 15 minutes. Something noticable during the break was that the audience was not only dominated by old people like normally we noticed in the classical music concerts. There were some young people, very casually dressed for classical music concert. I assumed it was because The Four Seasons is really popular, or maybe they went to see Sarah Chang :).

After the break we back inside the hall, when I realized that it would be my first time watching the Four Seasons live.

The orchestra was in the same formation as when they played the second piece. Then the main violinist walked to the center of the stage. Dressed in elegant long gown and with her Asian look (she has Korean blood from her father), Sarah Chang held a beautiful charisma on the stage.

After quickly tuned the violin, she gave a sign to the others and begun the first part of the Four Seasons, La Primavera (Spring). This cheerful piece was really enjoyable, with impressive and confident playing by Sarah Chang and perfect harmony from the orchestra.

The following three parts of the concerto were also great. Normally I did not really able to enjoy Summer and Winter but live performance provided different view of it. It was great to capture the moments when the main violin played head-to-head with the cello or the viola. Moreover, watching Sarah's fingers flying on her violin was also awesome.

It felt the complete concerto was so short when they played the final notes of Winter and Sarah Chang finished it. She and the orchestra received a standing ovation for quite a while before finally they left the stage.

After the concert we had drinks at one of the terrace in the main square of the city, enjoying mild autumn evening. When it was getting colder, we went home. It was a good show and very nice evening!

Performers:

English Chamber Orchestra
Sarah Chang, main violinist in the Four Seasons

Complete performance:

Brandenburg Concerto Nr. 3 in G major - JS Bach
Adagio - Allegro

Serenade in Es Opus 6 - Josef Suk
Andante con moto
Allegro ma non troppo e grazioso
Adagio
Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo presto

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The Four Seasons (Opus 8 Nr. 1-4) - Antonio Vivaldi

Spring (Concerto Nr. 1 in E major, Op. 8)
Allegro
Largo
Allegro

Summer (Concerto Nr. 2 in G minor, Op. 8)
Allegro non molto
Adagio
Presto

Autumn (Concerto Nr. 3 in F major, Op. 8)
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro

Winter (Concerto Nr. 4 in F minor, Op. 8)
Allegro non molto
Largo
Allegro