Anonymous (18th century)
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| La Primavera | Spring |
| Allegro Giunt’ è la Primavera e festosetti La Salutan gl’ Augei con lieto canto, E i fonti allo Spirar de’ Zeffiretti Con dolce mormorio Scorrono intanto: Vengon’ coprendo l’ aer di nero amanto E Lampi, e tuoni ad annuntiarla eletti Indi tacendo questi, gl’ Augelletti; Tornan’ di nuovo al lor canoro incanto: Largo E quindi sul fiorito ameno prato Al caro mormorio di fronde e piante Dorme ‘l Caprar col fido can’ à lato. Allegro Di pastoral Zampogna al suon festante Danzan Ninfe e Pastor nel tetto amato Di primavera all’ apparir brillante. | Allegro Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more. Largo On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. Allegro Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring. |
| L’Estate | Summer |
| Allegro non molto – Allegro Sotto dura Staggion dal Sole accesa Langue l’ huom, langue ‘l gregge, ed arde il Pino; Scioglie il Cucco la Voce, e tosto intesa Canta la Tortorella e ‘l gardelino. Zeffiro dolce Spira, mà contesa Muove Borea improviso al Suo vicino; E piange il Pastorel, perche sospesa Teme fiera borasca, e ‘l suo destino; Adagio e piano – Presto e forte Toglie alle membra lasse il Suo riposo Il timore de’ Lampi, e tuoni fieri E de mosche, e mosconi il Stuol furioso! Presto Ah, che pur troppo i Suo timor Son veri Tuona e fulmina il Ciel e grandinoso Tronca il capo alle Spiche e a’ grani alteri. | Allegro non molto Under a hard Season, fired up by the Sun Languishes man, languishes the flock and burns the pine We hear the cuckoo’s voice; then sweet songs of the turtledove and finch are heard. Soft breezes stir the air, but threatening the North Wind sweeps them suddenly aside. The shepherd trembles, fearing violent storms and his fate. Adagio e piano – Presto e forte The fear of lightning and fierce thunder Robs his tired limbs of rest As gnats and flies buzz furiously around. Presto Alas, his fears were justified The Heavens thunders and roar and with hail Cuts the head off the wheat and damages the grain. |
| L’Autunno | Autumn |
| Allegro Celebra il Vilanel con balli e Canti Del felice raccolto il bel piacere E del liquor de Bacco accesi tanti Finiscono col Sonno il lor godere. Adagio molto Fà ch’ ogn’ uno tralasci e balli e canti L’ aria che temperata dà piacere, E la Staggion ch’ invita tanti e tanti D’ un dolcissimo Sonno al bel godere. Allegro I cacciator alla nov’ alba à caccia Con corni, Schioppi, e cani escono fuore Fugge la belva, e Seguono la traccia; Già Sbigottita, e lassa al gran rumore De’ Schioppi e cani, ferita minaccia Languida di fuggir, mà oppressa muore. | Allegro Celebrates the peasant, with songs and dances, The pleasure of a bountiful harvest. And fired up by Bacchus’ liquor, many end their revelry in sleep. Adagio molto Everyone is made to forget their cares and to sing and dance By the air which is tempered with pleasure And (by) the season that invites so many, many Out of their sweetest slumber to fine enjoyment Allegro The hunters emerge at the new dawn, And with horns and dogs and guns depart upon their hunting The beast flees and they follow its trail; Terrified and tired of the great noise Of guns and dogs, the beast, wounded, threatens Languidly to flee, but harried, dies. |
| L’Inverno | Winter |
| Allegro non molto Agghiacciato tremar trà nevi algenti Al Severo Spirar d’ orrido Vento, Correr battendo i piedi ogni momento; E pel Soverchio gel batter i denti; Largo Passar al foco i di quieti e contenti Mentre la pioggia fuor bagna ben cento Allegro Caminar Sopra il giaccio, e à passo lento Per timor di cader girsene intenti; Gir forte Sdruzziolar, cader à terra Di nuove ir Sopra ‘l giaccio e correr forte Sin ch’ il giaccio si rompe, e si disserra; Sentir uscir dalle ferrate porte Sirocco, Borea, e tutti i Venti in guerra Quest’ é ‘l verno, mà tal, che gioja apporte. | Allegro non molto To tremble from cold in the icy snow, In the harsh breath of a horrid wind; To run, stamping one’s feet every moment, Our teeth chattering in the extreme cold Largo Before the fire to pass peaceful, Contented days while the rain outside pours down. Allegro We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling. Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up. We feel the chill north winds course through the home despite the locked and bolted doors… this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights. |
California Symphony’s FOUR SEASONS concert, takes place on Saturday, November 6th and Sunday, November 7th at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $44-$74 ($20 for students 25 and under), available online or through the Lesher Center Box Office at 925.280.2490.
