“Writers are liars, my dear, surely you know that by now? And yet, things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot.” - Neil Gaiman - Dream Country
Composer: Antonio Vivaldi Title: Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8, RV 297, "Winter" (L'inverno) Why?: I remember when Nigel Kennedy started to become 'famous'. Suddenly, there were people who never had any interest in classical music watching him perform. He dressed like a rock star, acted like a rock star, had stage presence like a rock star and made his violin do things that left your mouth open in a wordless 'o'.
I also recall reading the story of how Talk Talk made him tape his fingers together when he guested on their album Sprit of Eden because he played too many notes. When you watch him play this statement makes complete sense.
While this isn't specifically a "Christmas" song, it's certainly a seasonal one. If Winter needed theme music, this is it. The whole concerto is worth a listen. It's something to hear live, so I highly recommend if your local city's symphony orchestra is set to perform it, go. It's always a delight to hear. I'm sure it was amazing if you got to see Nigel live. I have not, but will certainly try one day.
I love winter and it's pretty clear to me that Vivaldi did too.
Artist: Nigel Kennedy Composer: Antonio Vivaldi Title: Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8, RV 315, "Summer" (L'estate) Why?: Welcome to the heat! I think this piece isn't presented often enough. Everyone knows "Spring". I think if Vivaldi was a pop star, The Four Seasons would have been his top 40 album. "Spring" would have been his top 10 single from the album. (AND everyone knows "Winter" from those diamond commercials too).
I recall Nigel Kennedy explaining how he was always able to relate to this part. Unlike the sparkly sound Spring and Fall, this concerto is slow, a little sad, a little oppressive until the climatic release in the third part. If a thunderstorm had a soundtrack, this is it. He (Nigel) said that he suffered from asthma(?) (and apparently so did Vivaldi) and in those especially humid and uncomfortable days, he suffers. I am no fan of humidity so this piece fits for today and the rest of any long uncomfortable days of summer. Below are the other two parts of the "Summer" concerto. I've also included Vanessa Mae's take on the third "Storm" part of the piece, which I absolutely enjoy rocking out to.
