The Genres of Program Music - Essay Example

The genres of program music extensively capture this function.
At the time of the Renaissance variety of music paid attention to the harmony between voices and musical instruments. This gradually changed as audiences become more attracted to sounds that contrasted with one another. This includes wind, varying voices, and string instruments. This resulted in the advent of the concerto, a genre whereby one or various soloists play in opposition to varying players. Multiple soloists were a major feature of early concertos. This is in contrast to the contemporary genre where a genre consists of a soloist aided with orchestral accompaniment.

Vivaldi introduced a standard form in the early concertos. This was after the completion of over 500 concertos and this was later to be imitated by other composers. This form entailed three movement types, which are fast slow then fast. The fast movement involved refrain or ritornello form. The orchestra had the responsibility to present the theme of music in the ritornello or opening section. This was then followed by the soloist introducing unrelated material in subsequent passages leading to modulated new keys. The orchestra would again interrupt with a ritornello in a new key then interrupted by the soloist. These alterations proceeded until that time ritornello signaled the conclusion of movement through the keys.

Vivaldi achieved a lot especially via the work Le Quattro stagioni (The four seasons) that he is best remembered for. This entails consists of sets of concertos usually for solo violin. Every set entails three movements associated with one season of the year. Association pattern with the year already makes each piece qualify as programmatic (Everett 47-48). Four sonnets then accompany each set one for a season. The common assertion has it that Vivaldi did this by himself to make the programming more concrete. Even though this program lacks the character to depict it and a plot, the music automatically illustrates something. To illustrate his point further, he wrote poetry to show how musical moments give specific imagery to the audience.

In the four seasons, many illustrations can be heard in the visual cues without straining to capture the imagery. The first movement commences with the jubilation associated with the spring. The solo violin section evokes stream murmurs and bird songs as illustrated in the strings. In contrast, the next section associated with the summer storm comes in with violence and excitement, then again followed by a song of a bird in the solo part. The second section has the barks of dogs while the third part depicts jubilated dancing shepherds. Lighthearted depiction portraying the entire season is a major contrast from other types of concertos in the four seasons. Each is programmed to depict a certain mood associated with the uniqueness of each season.

Putting in place programming helps in making each piece easily enjoyable. Setting aside imagery, following the soloist, and altering ritornello is still attainable. Modulations in solo sections can also easily be followed. In addition, the programming approach enables audibly characterized by Lombardic rhythms and large intervals in melodies making them more expressive. One notable aspect of this setting was the reasons that lead to its invention (Everett 78-82). Concert music at that time was a new occurrence having been overshadowed by opera productions and dance music. Violine was a new entrant in the music league. Several debates emerged following its innovation as some regarded it to be loud and having fretless tuning. Vivaldi's motivation was to write a piece in favor of the new entrant, the violin. His success made the violin a staple instrument and a major inclusion in orchestral sound.

In conclusion, every type of music composed has a mission to accomplish. However; the arrangement of music in a certain pattern enhances the chances of the composition fulfilling its mission.
Vivaldi by inventing the four seasons takes the art of music composition to the next step by including seasons of the year to instill images in the audience. Every season of the year is unique and this is incorporated into the songs by putting alterations in subsequent sections.