Vivaldi's Four Seasons

Vivaldi's Four Seasons
By Anna Harwell Celenza
Illustrated by JoAnn E. Kitchel

Even if you don't think you know 'Four Seasons by Vivaldi, chances are good that you will recognize it when you hear it. If you watch the first 10 seconds of this video, you'll probably start thinking to yourself, "Oooh, that's what that piece is called!" Go ahead; listen to just a little bit of it:

Recognize it?

What you heard was the first movement, 'Spring,' on which this little book is based. I've always appreciated 'The Four Seasons' by Vivaldi, but this book gives my appreciation for the movement entitled 'Spring' a whole new depth!

Written by a professor of music at Georgetown University, Vivaldi's Four Seasons tells the story of how Vivaldi taught and came to love the orphaned girls of the Ospedale della Pietá. Suddenly (or at least, it seems sudden to the reader) Vivaldi is asked to leave the orphanage. He continues to miss the girls at the Pietá. Eventually he is asked to write pieces for the girls to play, although he is not asked to come back to teach the girls. As a surprise to the girls, he comes back with the first piece, 'Spring,' and narrates it while they play.

I enjoyed learning the history behind this famous piece of music! Celenza's story is fun and her characters are lovable. I do recommend reading the part of the story where Vivaldi narrates 'Spring' either after listening to the accompanying CD or while listening. I read without listening and found it a little confusing.

Though this book has lovely, colorful illustrations, I recommend this book for a slightly older crowd: around 9-12 years old. There's so much meat to this story and reading about what the music means is abstract enough that I'm afraid a lot of it will be lost on younger readers.

Over all, a very fun story!

*This book was sent for review purposes.

Charlesbridge Publishing | Anna Harwell Celenza | JoAnn E. Kitchel