Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

Violinist Alexi Kenney returns to play and direct a compelling selection of Baroque and contemporary gems spanning several centuries. Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons lays out a sequence of scenes, all shaped by elemental forces: wind, rain, sunshine, and snow. Vivaldi creates an immersive sound-world complete with calling birds, murmuring streams, rustling leaves, barking dogs, lurching peasants, rolling thunder, chattering teeth. Any composer can simulate natural sounds and noises; Vivaldi makes us feel them. Rich in tunes and tonal contrasts, Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos blend the sparkling refinement of the French suite and the lusty vigor of the Italian concerto grosso with the contrapuntal grandeur of German organ music. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 features a dazzling dance between three virtuoso soloists—on flute, violin, and keyboard—and orchestra.