Vivaldi's Four Seasons for the Beginning Pianist

Composer and virtuoso violinist Antonio Vivaldi is best known for his group of four violin concerti, each of which offers a musical expression of a season of the year. Written around 1716–17, they rank among the earliest examples of program music, or compositions with a narrative element.
This edition of the perennially popular work features distilled selections from the entire score that have been specially adapted for beginning pianists. Editor David Dutkanicz has provided fingerings, brief notes, and performance suggestions. Directions for downloading MP3s of each piece are included.

Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) was an ordained priest who served as violin master at a Venetian orphanage. The energy, passion, and lyricism of his concerti, 500 of which survive, made a permanent mark on musical history and have served as a lasting influence on latter-day composers.
Former Dover editor David Dutkanicz holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, New York University, and Columbia University. He is the editor of several books in this series.

Introduction 

Spring
Sonnet 
Mvt. I
Spring Has Come
Song of the Birds 
Trickling of the Springs 
Thunder 
The Birds Return 
Mvt. II
The Sleeping Goatherd 
Mvt. III
Pastoral Dance

Summer
Sonnet 
Mvt. I
Laziness from the Heat 
Gentle South Winds 
North Wind 
Mvt. II
Adagio (Flies and Wasps, Thunder)
Mvt. III
Violent Summer Weather—Opening 
Violent Summer Weather—Excerpt

Autumn
Sonnet
Mvt. I
Villager’s Dance 
Mvt. II
Drunkard’s Asleep 
Mvt. III
The Hunt 

Winter
Sonnet
Mvt. I
To Tremble from Cold in the Icy Snow 
Mvt. II
Largo (Before the Fire) 
Mvt. III
The Ice 
The Warm Wind