It's some of the most familiar of all early 18th century music.

這是我們對 18 世紀早期音樂最熟悉的一部份

It's been featured in uncounted films and television commercials,

這些音樂廣用於無數的電影和電視廣告裡

but what is it and why does it sound that way?

這時期的音樂到底是什麼？又為什麼會聽起來輕快、活潑、愉悅呢？

This is the opening of "Spring" from "The Four Seasons,"

現在是《四季》協奏曲《春》的開頭

by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.

由義大利作曲家韋瓦第譜寫

"The Four Seasons" are famous in part because they are a delight to the ear.

《四季》悅耳的旋律是它這麼有名的一部分原因

However, even more notable

更重要的

is the fact that they have stories to tell.

是他們述說著故事

At the time of their publication in Amsterdam in 1725,

曲子 1725 年在阿姆斯特丹

they were accompanied by poems

與搭配的詩同時發表

describing exactly what feature of that season

詩裡描述的正是韋瓦第想用音樂捕捉的

Vivaldi intended to capture in musical terms.

各季特色

In providing specific plot content for instrumental music,

由於他在音樂裡加入了鮮明的故事劇情

Vivaldi was generations ahead of his time.

韋瓦第在當時領先了好幾世代

If one were to read the poems simultaneously to hearing the music,

如果讀詩的同時聽著這首曲子

one would find the poetic scenes

就會發現詩中的情境

synchronizing nicely with the musical imagery.

巧妙的與樂曲的意象同步

We are told that the birds welcome spring with happy song,

詩裡提到鳥兒用愉悅的歌聲迎接春天

and here they are doing exactly that.

音樂中鳥兒正是如此

Soon, however, a thunderstorm breaks out.

但不久後，雷雨來襲

Not only is there musical thunder and lightning,

音樂裡不只出現了雷聲和閃電

there are also more birds,

還飛來了更多鳥兒

wet, frightened, and unhappy.

濕漉漉的鳥兒，害怕又難過

In "Summer," the turtle dove sings her name "tortorella" in Italian,

在《夏》裡頭，斑鳩用義大利語唱著她的名字「tortorella」

before a hail storm flattens the fields.

接著，一陣冰雹夷平了田野

"Autumn" brings eager hunters dashing out in pursuit of their prey.

《秋》則出現了野心勃勃的獵人追趕著獵物

The "Winter" concerto begins with teeth chattering in the cold

《冬》協奏曲開頭的寒冬，冷到讓牙齒不停打顫

before one takes refuge by a crackling fire.

再來是人們在劈啪作響的火旁尋求溫暖

Then it's back out into the storm

然後又來到了暴風雪中

where there'll be slips and falls on the ice.

人們在冰上容易滑倒、摔跤

In these first weeks of winter, the old year is coming to a close,

冬季剛來的前幾週，意味著舊的一年即將結束

and so does Vivaldi's musical exploration of the seasons.

韋瓦第探索季節的音樂也來到尾聲

Not until the early 19th century

直到 19 世紀初

would such expressive instrumental program music, as it was known,

這樣用樂器來表達情感的標題音樂

become popular.

才大受歡迎

By then, larger, more varied ensembles were the rule

在那之前，浩大且變化多端的編排是慣例

with woodwinds, brass, and percussion to help tell the tale.

音樂要用木管樂器、銅管樂器和打擊樂器來說故事

But Vivaldi pulled it off with just one violin, strings, and a harpsichord.

而韋瓦第只需要一把小提琴、弦樂器和一臺大鍵琴

Unlike his contemporary Bach,

不像和他同時代的巴哈

Vivaldi wasn't much interested in complicated fugues.

韋瓦第對艱深的賦格曲並不感興趣

He preferred to offer readily accessible entertainment to his listeners

他偏好給聽眾更平易近人的娛樂

with melodies that pop back up later in a piece

那些會事後浮現的旋律

to remind us of where we've been.

讓我們想起自己的生活周遭

So the first movement of the "Spring" concerto begins with a theme for spring

《春》協奏曲的第一樂章以春季的主題開始

and ends with it, too, slightly varied from when it was last heard.

也以此結束，結尾只是和前面聽到的主題稍稍不一樣而已

It was an inspired way to attract listeners,

這是能吸引聽眾的創新手法

and Vivaldi,

韋瓦第

considered one of the most electrifying violinists of the early 18th century,

作為18世紀早期最令人振奮的小提琴手之一

understood the value of attracting audiences.

知道吸引聽眾很重要

Such concerts might feature himself as the star violinist.

在有些音樂會裡，他是頭號小提琴手

Others presented the young musicians of the Pietà,

其他則由皮耶塔的年輕音樂家演奏

a Venetian girls' school where Vivaldi was Director of Music.

皮耶塔是所維也納的女子學校，韋瓦第在此擔任音樂院院長

Most of the students were orphans.

學生大多是孤兒

Music training was intended not only as social skills suitable for young ladies

音樂訓練不僅是適合少女的社交技能

but also as potential careers

還是她們無法得到好婚姻時

for those who might fail to make good marriages.

可從事的職業

Even in the composer's own time,

即使在韋瓦第的時代

Vivaldi's music served as diversion for all,

他的音樂已成為大眾娛樂

not just for the wealthy aristocrats.

不限於富裕的貴族

300 years later, it's an approach that still works,

三百年後，這個方法一樣可行

and Vivaldi's music still sounds like trotting horses on the move.

韋瓦第的音樂聽起來仍像是快步前進的馬兒