Compare performersAntonio Vivaldi
Vivaldi, Spring, first movement, in two recordings
The Four Seasons · Spring, RV 269 — I. Allegro
Two ensembles play the orchestral ritornello and the solo violin’s birdsong and storm passages.
Recordings in
this comparison
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John Harrison, Wichita State University Chamber Players, Robert Turizziani
John Harrison, violin; Wichita State University Chamber Players; Robert Turizziani, conductor
Harrison’s live, unedited performance at Wiedemann Recital Hall, Wichita State University, on 6 February 2000.
Modena Chamber Orchestra
The Modena Chamber Orchestra (source attribution; embedded tag differs)
A solo violin and chamber orchestra, issued by Musopen as part of The Four Seasons.
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Each strip shows changes in volume within one recording.
Vivaldi’s Spring opens in E major with a refrain for the strings. Bird calls interrupt it, then a storm, and the refrain returns between these episodes. John Harrison recorded it live with the Wichita State University Chamber Players in 2000; the second performance comes from Musopen.
Tempo map
Time taken compared with John Harrison, Wichita State University Chamber Players, Robert Turizziani: above 1×, the performer takes longer over the same music; below it, less time.
- John Harrison, Wichita State University Chamber Players, Robert Turizziani · reference
- Modena Chamber Orchestra
Passages compared
Each version plays in card order, for up to 12 seconds of reference music or until the next marked passage, whichever comes first.
- 01
Opening ritornello in E major
0:05 in the referenceThe strings open with short, repeated phrases in E major that represent the arrival of spring.
- 02
Birdsong episode, violins
0:48 in the referenceThe violins trade trills and short rising and falling calls, with rests between one call and the next.
- 03
Second phrase of the ritornello
1:08 in the referenceOnly the second phrase of the refrain returns, and the orchestra takes over the violin calls heard before it.
- 04
Storm episode
1:56 in the referenceRapid violin figures break into the refrain; during the storm the music moves through B major towards C♯ minor.
- 05
Ritornello from C♯ minor to E major
2:46 in the referenceThe refrain starts in C♯ minor and moves back to E major, where the strings play the opening tune again.
- 06
Final ritornello in E major
3:21 in the referenceThe orchestra brings back the refrain in E major after the solo violin’s last passages.
Length of each recording
- John Harrison, Wichita State University Chamber Players, Robert Turizziani3:35
- Modena Chamber Orchestra3:34
These times include the lead-in and final fade. Cuts, repeats and disc-side breaks also affect a recording’s length.
Recording notes
John Harrison, Wichita State University Chamber Players, Robert Turizziani
Harrison’s live, unedited performance at Wiedemann Recital Hall, Wichita State University, on 6 February 2000.
John Harrison, violin; Wichita State University Chamber Players; Robert Turizziani, conductor
6 February 2000
Modena Chamber Orchestra
A solo violin and chamber orchestra, issued by Musopen as part of The Four Seasons.
The Modena Chamber Orchestra (source attribution; embedded tag differs)
Listening notes & recording detailsOriginal recording source ↗Further reading
How the recordings are matched
The matching follows sequences of pitches, using a method called dynamic time warping. Every recording is mapped to the reference, so switching between two versions goes through that shared clock. Where several reference times match one point, the middle time is used.
- Modena Chamber Orchestra: match score 0.950. Matched passages available.
Switching stays within the matched span, and trimmed recordings keep their original clock times. Match scores describe similarity in the sound.