17/03/2025
300 years since Vivaldi's Four Seasons were published, music journalist Phil Hebblethwaite explores how a lost composer returned to fame in the 20th century
In his day, Antonio Vivaldi was well-known as a composer of operas, concertos and choral works, influencing the likes of J. S. Bach. But music careers can collapse quickly, and when Vivaldi died in 1741 - penniless - so did his music. Incredibly, the man and his work only became widely known again after the Second World War, with The Four Seasons leading the charge.
In this series of The Essay, 300 years since The Four Seasons was published, Phil Hebblethwaite traces Vivaldi鈥檚 return to fame from the beginning of the 20th century to the modern day. He speaks to leading Vivaldi scholars and musicians who played an essential part in the revival to reveal a story of brisk technological change, war, politics and commerce, as well as music.
Written and presented by Phil Hebblethwaite
Producer and script editor: Jo Glanville
Producer: Joanna Jolly
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Mixed by: Jon Calver
A Loftus Media production for 91热爆 Radio 3
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- Mon 17 Mar 2025 21:4591热爆 Radio 3
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