"How Playing Music Affects The Developing Brain"
Also, for the start of the new school year, and in hope of some cool fall breezes, here is a beautiful recording of violinist Julia Fischer performing "Autumn" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons.
Here is a little bit about Mr. Antonio Vivaldi and his composition:
Antonio Vivaldi was born on March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy. Antonio's father, Giovanni Battista, a barber before becoming a violinist, taught young Antonio to play the violin and then toured Venice playing the violin with him.
At the age of 15, Antonio began training to become a priest. At the age of 25, he was ordained a priest and soon after became known as the II Prete Rosso, "The Red Priest", because of his red hair. Due to his health, he left the priesthood in 1703 after only 3 years. But he was still able to pursue a career in music.
Vivaldi's music is joyful, almost playful, revealing his own joy of composing. In addition, Vivaldi was able to compose non-academic music which means it would be enjoyed by many people rather than just college professors. It was these qualities that made Vivaldi's music very popular.
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, composed in 1723, is a set of four concertos for violin. It is his most popular work and is among the most popular works of the Baroque Era. For this composition he wrote sonnets to match each season.
Here is the sonnet for "Autumn" :
Autumn
Allegro
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.
Adagio molto
Everyone is made to forget their cares and to sing and dance
By the air which is tempered with pleasure
And (by) the season that invites so many, many
Out of their sweetest slumber to fine enjoyment
Allegro
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.
(Source: http://www.makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_mmf_music_library/hey-kids-meet-antonio-vivaldi.htm)
