Théotime Langlois de Swarte (photo by Marco Borggreve)
Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is certifiably one of classical music’s greatest hits. Even those with the most limited knowledge of classical music recognize and love the work. To celebrate the 300th anniversary of its publication in 1725, the Harriman-Jewell Series will present the esteemed early music group Les Arts Florissants and violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte with Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons at 300 April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Folly Theater.
The concert is specially designed to put The Four Seasons in context. In addition to that work and others by Vivaldi, the program will include music by Italian composers whom Vivaldi heard in Venice and who influenced him greatly.
“They’re going to play the work in its entirety but not straight through,” said Clark Morris, artistic director of the Harriman-Jewell Series. “They’ll perform two movements on the first half and two on the second half, and they’re mixing in other music that Vivaldi would have heard as he grew up in Venice and that was foundational to his experience. There’ll be Monteverdi, Uccellini and Geminiani. I think it’s going to be an incredible program, especially performed by this ensemble on this anniversary.”
The Four Seasons will help greet a new season in April, just as trees and flowers are bursting forth in Kansas City. It seems an appropriate time to hear this evergreen work. The Four Seasons is an early example of program or descriptive music. Each movement depicts a season and its activities. For example, in Winter you can hear the snow falling, teeth chattering and slipping on the ice.
A native of Venice, Vivaldi was ordained a priest at the age of 25. With his flaming red hair, he became known as il Prete Rosso, the Red Priest.
“Venice was our founder, Richard Harriman’s favorite place in the world,” Morris said. “I’ve been fortunate to have been to Italy and Venice several times. I love it. It’s a magical city. I’ve gotten lost a couple of times walking through Venice, and it was a blissful time because everywhere you turn there’s something interesting to look at.”
Vivaldi’s music beautifully captures that ornamented, Baroque magic. And no one does Baroque music like Les Arts Florissants. This premier early music ensemble was founded in 1979 by harpsichordist William Christie, who is still the group’s music director. The Harriman-Jewell Series first presented Les Arts in 1990 and has brought them to Kansas City several times since. This time they’ll be led by violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte, Christie’s protégé.
“If early music is your specialty, you want to play with them,” Morris said. They do a lot of different things. They obviously do world tours, but they also put on a summer festival at William Christie’s estate, where they play concerts in his floral garden. They’re not a one-trick pony. If you look at their website and calendar, they’re very busy with artistic activity in a variety of ways. They also have a lot of educational programming. It’s just a really fulsome organization, and I think that’s given them staying power.”
Morris recalls the time he heard Les Arts in New York.
“I once stood in line at Lincoln Center for three hours for a single ticket, and then my hair stood on end listening to them,” he said. “It’s a really special experience to be a part of these concerts.”
For those who think they’ve heard Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons too many times, Morris says Les Arts Florissants will make it sound brand new.
“They’ve built this concert in a way that is very unique, and you’re going to hear The Four Seasons with a different ear,” Morris said. “Building the concert around other inspirational composers that Vivaldi would have been listening to in his formative days is going to be quite magical. I’m sure it’s going to sell out. People shouldn’t wait until the last minute, like I did at Lincoln Center.”
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300 with Théotime Langlois de Swarte and Les Arts Florissants. 7 p.m. April 11. Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St.
For more information, hjseries.org.
–Patrick Neas
