Las Quatro Estaciones Porteñas: Primavera Porteña (Spring)

Astor Piazzola
Piece Duration: 6:00

About this Piece

(This movement begins at 15:45)

For more information on Piazzola's "Four Seasons," here is an article by Michael Beek: https://www.classical-music.com/features/works/piazzollas-four-seasons-of-buenos-aires-a-guide-to-piazzollas-piece-and-its-best-recordings/ 

Other Movements:
I. Otono (Autumn)
II. Invierno (Winter)
IV. Verano (Summer)

Notable Passages

Time Stamp: 15:45 — 16:45
Description:

The first violins introduce a melodic idea (a "motif") at ms. 1 (15:45), which is rhythmically imitated in the viola part at ms. 9 (16:00), and then imitated an octave higher by the soloist at ms. 17 (16:12). 

At ms. 26 (16:29), the soloist and first violins play the motif once more!


Keywords: Imitation - Composition Technique , Imitation - Counterpoint , Imitation - Melody , Motif

Time Stamp: 15:45 — 16:45
Description:

While this movement is not a traditional fugue, the first violins introduce a subject at measure 1 (15:45), and then a countersubject at measure 9 (16:00) while the viola takes the subject. 

A key difference from traditional fugues here is that the viola’s subject at measure 9 includes several variations, and is not performed in the dominant key. The solo violin then enters at measure 17 (16:12), elaborating on the subject’s primary motif, rather than playing the subject in its entirety. At ms. 26 (16:29), the soloist and first violins play the subject once again, closing out this section. 

This may be of use as a contemporary fugal example that breaks traditional rules, depending on the learning context.


Keywords: Fugue