Q 01/05

How many concertos make up Vivaldi's The Four Seasons?

A) 6

B) 12

C) 8

D) 4

Answer · why

D) 4

Each gives musical expression to one season, and each is in three movements, fast–slow–fast.

Q 02/05

Which instrument takes the solo part in The Four Seasons?

A) Flute

B) Cello

C) Harpsichord

D) Violin

Answer · why

D) Violin

All twelve concertos of the Opus 8 set are for solo violin, strings and basso continuo.

Q 03/05

In which city were The Four Seasons first published, in 1725?

A) Vienna

B) Amsterdam

C) Paris

D) Venice

Answer · why

B) Amsterdam

They appeared with eight other concertos in what was then the Dutch Republic.

Q 04/05

The Four Seasons form the first four concertos of a set of twelve whose title translates as what?

A) The Harmonic Inspiration

B) The Trial of Reason and Passion

C) The Contest Between Harmony and Invention

D) The Garden of Sweet Melody

Answer · why

C) The Contest Between Harmony and Invention

Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione may really mean 'the quality test' of both harmony and invention — an advert for Vivaldi's skill.

Q 05/05

What opus number carries The Four Seasons?

A) Op. 10

B) Op. 8

C) Op. 12

D) Op. 9

Answer · why

B) Op. 8

Op. 3, L'estro armonico, had been his breakthrough; Op. 9, La cetra, was dedicated to Emperor Charles VI.