Main content

The Four Seasons: Summer

In the third of four programmes marking the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Hannah French explores the Violin Concerto in G minor, a.k.a. Summer

In the third of four programmes across 2025 marking the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Hannah French explores the Violin Concerto in G minor, RV.315 - better known as Summer.

In its combination of oppressive heat and violent storms, Vivaldi's concerto and the sonnet that accompanies it focus on the hardships of an Italian summer: a harsh musical depiction of tempests and high temperatures. Recorder player and artistic director of the London International Festival of Early Music Erik Bosgraaf chats to Hannah about the challenges of playing The Four Seasons on a wind instrument. And Hannah sends us a sonic snapshot from a recent trip to Mantua, where Vivaldi spent two years working at the court chapel.

To listen to this programme using most smart speakers just say "Ask ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds to play The Early Music Show".

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Sun 29 Jun 2025 17:00

Music Played

  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Sum in medio tempestatum, RV 632 (opening aria)

    Singer: Simone Kermes. Orchestra: Venice Baroque Orchestra. Conductor: Andrea Marcon.
    • Vivaldi:Motets RV 627, 632, 630, 626.
    • Archiv Produktion.
    • 13.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Concerto da camera in F major, RV 98, 'La tempesta di mare'

    Performer: Erik Bosgraaf. Ensemble: Cordevento.
    • BRILLIANT CLASSICS.
  • William Boyce

    Let Not My Prince His Slave Despise (Solomon, Pt. 1 No. 10)

    Singer: Bronwen Mills. Orchestra: The Parley of Instruments. Conductor: Roy Goodman.
    • Boyce: Solomon (English Orpheus 2).
    • Hyperion.
    • 10.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Lungi dal vago volto, RV 680 (4th mvt, Aria)

    Singer: Emma Kirkby. Orchestra: Tafelmusik. Director: Jeanne Lamon.
    • Vivaldi: Cantatas, Concertos & Magnificat.
    • Hyperion.
  • Georg Philipp Telemann

    Die Donnerode, TWV 6:3 (End of Part 1)

    Singer: Johannes Wollrab. Singer: Olli Rasanen. Choir: Solomon's Knot. Ensemble: Les Passions de l’Âme. Director: Jonathan Sells.
    • Telemann: Late Church Music.
    • CPO.
  • Antonio Vivaldi

    Concerto No 2 in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2 'Summer' (The Four Seasons, arr. for recorder and ensemble)

    Performer: Erik Bosgraaf. Ensemble: Ensemble Cordevento.
    • Vivaldi: The Four Seasons.
    • Brilliant Classics.

Broadcast

  • Sun 29 Jun 2025 17:00

Podcast