Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
June 28 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Thursday 19 June – The Fire Station, Sunderland
Friday 20 June – Newcastle Cathedral
Saturday 21 June – Hexham Abbey
Sunday 22 June – Sedbergh Music Festival
Friday 27 June – Ripon Cathedral
Saturday 28 June – St George’s Church, Cullercoats
Sunday 29 June – St Mary’s Church, Wooler
Fresh. Bright. Sounds like summer.
Who’s on stage
Royal Northern Sinfonia, directed by Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska, in beautiful venues across the North of England.
What they’re playing
One of the most popular pieces of classical music in the world – Vivaldi’s timeless The Four Seasons. 300 years old and it hasn’t aged a day. It’s fresh, bright, unbounded joy. Energetic, whirling dances from Greece and Transylvania and Grieg’s Holberg Suite are also on the set list.
What you’ll hear
Sándor Veress Four Transylvanian Dances (15’)
Edvard Grieg Holberg Suite (21’)
Nikos Skalkottas Five Greek Dances (9‘)
Antonio Vivaldi The Four Seasons (37’)
Who’s playing it
Maria Włoszczowska director
Royal Northern Sinfonia
What’s happening in the music
Three centuries after they were composed, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons sounds as fresh and tuneful as ever – and there’s still nothing to beat the sensation of hearing these four brilliant concertos performed live in concert. Experience the birdsong of Spring, the downpours of Summer, the celebrations of Autumn, and the icy shiver of Winter. Never mind four seasons in one day, it’s four seasons in half an hour.
Grieg’s Holberg Suite – sometimes also known as ‘From Holberg’s Time – Suite in olden style’ – was written to celebrate the 200th birthday of playwright Ludvig Holberg. It takes five dance styles from the 1700s and gives them a 1884 twist, with some energetic, some more contemplative.
The dances continue with Veress’ Four Transylvanian Dances and Skalkottas’ Five Greek Dances, which both take traditional folk dances and turn them into delightful, dizzying whirlwinds for orchestra.
Here’s one of the pieces you’ll hear on this concert tour – Grieg’s Holberg Suite. It’s a real favourite of Maria and the orchestra, this was recorded in Hexham Abbey in December 2023. Expect the same energy and enthusiasm this time too.