Page 63 - FULL BOOK Isata Kanneh-Mason Childhood Tales

Seasons of Buenos Aires and Vanessa Mae’s improvisations, often performed on
electric violin, feature among modern versions. Max Richter’s 2012

“recomposition” splices and slices Vivaldi’s themes with original material, looping

phrases in gently kaleidoscopic turns and twists, creating an electro-Baroque
masterpiece. But, although Vivaldi based each movement on a descriptive

sonnet, words are rarely incorporated into the concerto. “We want Michael to be
part of the ensemble, rather than a separate narrator,” says Pioro.

That’s because these words are an integral part of The Four Seasons, drawing out
the meaning behind the music. The chattering of nesting birds, flower-strewn

meadows, joyful harvests and chilling winters shaped the society that Vivaldi
lived in – something that is under threat in the 21 century due to human
st
degradation of the natural world.

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“People don’t tend to live the seasons now, they are just weather forecasts,

which is not the same thing,” says Morpurgo. “In previous generations a harsh
season would mean starvation. That’s still the case in many parts of the world. In

the west, we can get any fruit at any time of year flown in from everywhere. But

that has a knock-on effect. Climate change is interfering with the natural rhythm
of the seasons. We’re at risk of destroying everything that we love. Vivaldi is

there to remind us.”

Daniel Pioro, Michael Morpurgo and London Sinfonietta perform Vivaldi’s The

Four Seasons at Queen Elizabeth Hall, May 21, 4pm

Recording of the week…

Mozart composed some of the most intricate keyboard concertos, passionate
arias and a powerful requiem, but he also wrote one of the most famous

nursery songs: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (originally Ah! vous dirai-je, maman).

Being Mozart, he of course went on to embellish the melody, which became a
set of variations. These – and Ernő Dohnányi’s version for piano and orchestra –