“The first blooms of Spring always
Make my heart sing.”
Spring is here! And we welcome this season of longer days, warm breezes, and the excitement of the sun, the birds, the rabbits, and the bursting of spring flowers!! It is the season of renewal and joy as we come out of the cold and dark of winter.
But what does music have to do with this season?
Music has always been known for capturing and celebrating how we feel. Spring is here, and what better way to celebrate it than with classical music designed to "nod" toward the seasons? Classical music has many compositions that bring delight and glorious feelings about life.
I've chosen my top 3 compositions and hope you will find a way to listen to their beauty and inspiration to welcome Spring!
1. Antonio Vivaldi, The Four Seasons La Primavera (“Spring”)
Let's start with the best-known Vivaldi work for strings and violin. Antonio Vivaldi wrote "The Four Seasons in the early 1720s. It still stands as one of his greatest works and is relevant today. It captures the joy and beauty of the season.
You will feel the excitement and vibrancy of this song within the first 10 seconds - it is such a joy! Even those who are not into classical music agree that it moves in so many ways and pleases the ear. Recently featured in the Netflix series "Wednesday," it has also been in "Pretty Woman," "The Simpsons," and "Runaway Train," to name a few!
2. Johann Strauss II - Voices of Spring Waltz
In the winter of 1882, Johann Strauss was invited to compose a vocal waltz for the Heidelberg-born coloratura soprano Bianca Bianchi. Strauss was excited by the challenge of writing a waltz for a solo voice after his success with many choral waltzes.
This famous waltz originally featured a coloratura soprano who sings of "a million little voices of spring." The orchestral or piano versions of this waltz are what you'll hear more often these days, but first, there was "the music of the breeze that comes humming through the trees."
3. Robert Schumann, Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major, "Spring."
Robert Schumann's Spring is grand and moves beautifully. The composition's celebratory spirit is felt from start to finish. The German composer Robert Schumann conceived this first symphony with the season of rejuvenation in mind.
His marriage to pianist Clara Wieck began a period of creativity, and "Spring" was among the many compositions he wrote. In addition, a German movie made in 1983 about the love affair between Robert and Claire called "Spring Symphony," starring Nastassja Kinski.
We are fortunate to have such easy access to music composed many years ago. People in the past could listen to this music only if someone played it in the vicinity. We have access to hearing them and playing these compositions as well. We hope they inspire you to the joy and beauty music brings!