Antonio Vivaldi—a music appreciation lesson for kids

1. Allegro (fast, joyfully)

Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven,
Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.

Children: Can you hear the joy of spring and the birds? Can you then hear the thunderstorm? And can you lastly hear the birds again?

2. Largo (slowly)

On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herder sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.

Children: Does the music sound restful, like someone is sleeping?

3. Allegro (fast, joyfully)

Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.

Children: In this music, we first hear bagpipes. Later on, there are musical passages as if someone is dancing.

1. Allegro non molto (not very quickly)

Under a hard Season, fired up by the Sun
Languishes man, languishes the flock and burns the pine
We hear the cuckoo's voice; then sweet songs of the turtledove and finch are heard.
Soft breezes stir the air... but threatening north wind sweeps them suddenly aside.
The shepherd trembles, fearing violent storms and his fate.

Children: This piece starts out slow, as if animals and people are "languishing" in the unpleasant, hot sun. In the middle the music is a bit faster: there is the soft breeze. The loudest part is like the threatening north wind. Later on, the violin plays alone, singing like birds. Then suddenly the music sounds fearful: the shepherd trembles. Can you hear all that?

2. Adagio e piano - Presto e forte (slow at ease and soft - very fast and loud)

The fear of lightning and fierce thunder
robs his tired limbs of rest,
as gnats and flies buzz furiously around.

Children: Does the music sound like someone is resting, but occasionally feels fearful?

3. Presto (very fast)

Alas, his fears were justified
The Heavens thunders and roar and majestically
Cuts the head off the wheat and damages the grain.

Children: Does the music sound like thunder and lightning?

1. Allegro (fast and joyfully)

Celebrates the peasant, with songs and dances,
The pleasure of a bountiful harvest.
And fired up by Bacchus' liquor, many end their revelry in sleep.

Children: This music starts out joyful and very happy, because the farmers are celebrating the harvest with songs and dances. Can you hear the parts where a few of them get tired and fall asleep (music slows down)?

2. Adagio molto (very slow)

Each one renounces dance and song,
the mild air is pleasant,
and the season invites ever-increasingly
to savour a sweet slumber.

Children: Can you hear how this music sounds like "sweet slumber" (deep sleep)?

3. Allegro (fast and joyful)

The hunters emerge at the new dawn,
And with horns and dogs and guns depart upon their hunting
The beast flees and they follow its trail;
Terrified and tired of the great noise
Of guns and dogs, the beast, wounded, threatens
Languidly to flee, but harried, dies.

Children: The music starts out march-like, when the hunters and dogs and horns are going boldly to hunt. When you hear the violin playing solo (alone), it portrays the beast that is fleeing and being hunted.

1. Allegro non molto (not very quickly)

To tremble from cold in the icy snow,
In the harsh breath of a horrid wind;
To run, stamping one's feet every moment,
Our teeth chattering in the extreme cold.

Children: In the beginning, the music sounds like trembling because of the cold. The parts where the violin plays solo, it's like someone running and stamping their feet to keep warm. Does any part of the music sound like chattering teeth?

2. Largo (very slowly)

We move to the fire and contented peace,
while the rain outside pours in sheets.

Children: When you listen, can you imagine staying warm and peaceful in front of the fireplace?

3. Allegro (fast & joyful)

We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling.
Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up.
We feel the chill north winds course through the home despite the locked and bolted doors...
this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.

Children: The music starts out carefully, cautiously, and not very fast, like treading on ice. Can you hear it getting faster—someone hastening and hurrying? Near the end we hear the north wind and its chill...