Haydn’s oratorio “Four Seasons” rarely has a chance to be staged. Tonight, I have the honor to hear the excellent performance of the Amsterdam Baroque Chorus and the top performers led by the Dutch classical music master Ton Kupman.The oratorio “Four Seasons” is a oratorio that is as famous as Haydn’s “Genesis.”. Although both oratorios are based on English literature, unlike Genesis, this work is more secular. The scenes in the work, like paintings, are full of narrative. Different from ordinary oratorios, they have a strong religious flavor. The script is based on a long poem of the same name by 18th century English poet James Thomson. Haydn used his beautiful music to show us the beautiful rural scenery and rural peasant life. Typical classical style, easy to understand music vocabulary, full of fresh vitality.
The original poem is a long poem with a length of 4300 lines, which has a strong narrative character. Three characters are arranged in the work: Simon the Old Shepherd (bass), his daughter Hanna (soprano), and Lucas the Young (tenor). Their songs express emotions, narrate stories, and the entire piece sounds interesting.
The work is divided into four movements with the titles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The prelude is written in the form of a sonata, depicting a scene “from winter to spring.”. The lively dialogue between the violin and the woodwind instrument shows that winter has passed and spring has come, the earth has recovered, everything in nature has grown, and people have happily started the work of the new year. The music is full of a clear atmosphere, elegant and neat, and every bar is full of a cheerful atmosphere. The music ends in the final song of joy.
“Summer” depicts the scenery of the rising sun after the introduction of instrumental music. Simon started a new day of work. Here is an aria accompanied by a horn, full of pastoral flavor. This musical element later appeared in Beethoven’s “Sixth Symphony Pastoral.”. But the hot weather brought drought, and people began to feel heavy. Fortunately, dark clouds and lightning brought a storm. After the rain, quails, crickets, and frogs appeared one after another, singing a harmonious song of nature in the calm after the storm. The bell rang at night, and the villagers were dancing
“Autumn” uses a minuet as the introduction, and then Haydn uses his highly expressive music to make the plain lyrics seem extremely moving. After Hanna and Lucas sang affectionate duels, the song turned and brought us to the joy of harvest. In the hunting scene, hunters chase their prey, and the majestic chorus adds hunting horns. Then, we heard another carol of good wine. The villagers celebrated and feasted after the harvest, and the scene was very lively.
“Winter” depicts a scene of dense fog in the introduction, with snow covering everything and killing. Winter reminds us of the end of life. In the cold and desolate nature, people are thinking about the meaning of life. This movement is different from the previous simple narrative, but with religious and philosophical implications. The chorus constantly mentions the power of God and the hope that spring brings to us. It seems to remind people that they should always be vigilant in worldly life, and the meaning of life is not just simple, immediate happiness, but should seek the eternal paradise.
Haydn, as a court composer, created a wealth of works. But every capital sounds great. It is fortunate to have the opportunity to hear such a complete oratorio. Although the weather is mixed tonight, the classic Haydn makes the mood especially beautiful and peaceful.
