Concerto RV 297 - L'inverno (2/3 : Largo)

Concerto Op. 8, No. 4 - Winter - The Four Seasons - Le quattro stagioni

This famous Largo is the second of three movements in the Concerto RV 297, Op. 8, No. 4 (L'inverno) by Antonio Vivaldi.

This concerto is part of Vivaldi's famous Four Seasons [Le quattro stagioni], a series of four concertos part of Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione [The Contest of Harmony and Invention].

These 12 concerti were published in Amsterdam by Le Cène in 1725.

Each concerto in the Four Seasons is associated to a sonnet probably written by Vivaldi.

The verses corresponding to the Largo of the Winter concerto are as follows :

Passar al fuoco i di quieti e contenti, Mentre la pioggia fuor bagna ben cento [To spend calm, contented days by the fireside while hundreds are soaked by the rain outside]

This Largo was originally composed for the violin in the key of E flat Major.

This score is a transcription for violoncello and piano.

It is set in the key of G Major.

The cello part is appropriate for Grade 4 cellists.

Please note that this edition contains suggestions for adding ornamentation to certain passages in the cello part.

Duration : 02:23

Source : Antonio Vivaldi, Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione, Op. 8 (Amsterdam : Le Cène, 1725).