Tag: Antonio Vivaldi

S_V_H Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons(Spring)” Largo image4

Published on by Scott Von Holzen

Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons RV 269 122 inches (3m) in length, and the second in the 13 part series that celebrates these four concertos.  Link  HERE and at the 25 second mark the painting follows the flow of the music.  It has always been felt that when viewing this art that there should be music present, and turned up.   For sure,  the music can survive  without this art, but I can say without doubt, that this art needs music to be appreciated, and to be connected.

Tab Benoit – Drownin’ on Dry Land

Listening to Naughty by Nature – Hip Hop Hooray

Duke Ellington w/ Ella Fitzgerald – Satin Doll

The Art Deco lines, seen in the above images,  are something new.  They are, the  result of a felt need, to move away from the tried and proven style for representing a  musical Tie, that can be seen in Summer Allegro non molto.  Also, in those ties the continuing influence of Sean Scully, for example,  can be seen.  But now looking at them there has been a change in thought.  In some way, could it be possible to  Rothko those  boxy blue rectangle,s that are supporting and enhancing those ties, or at less soften them to better match the mood of this music.

Canned Heat – On the Road Again, a classic favorite.

The Funk Brothers – You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me.

The words need to be punched up somewhat, and so does the overall green background look, that has become somewhat common.  Since the backgrounds purpose is to do more than be an abstract painting, that sets the mood for the music,  it would nice to find a better, stronger, more creative, and original style.  There is a lot of discovery to be done.  The original ideas for the backgrounds came from the influences of Rothko, but little of that is being seen here. There is the need to take another look at Rothko and other artists like Hans Hartung, for example. For now the thought is do something with the large rectangle that holds the words.   A change here would pop the message, and strengthen the bottom part of this artwork that now appears to be top heavy.

Listening to Patty Griffin – Peter Pan

Shakin’ Stevens – Hot Dog

Scott Von Holzen

S_V_H Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons(Spring)” Largo image3

Published on by Scott Von Holzen

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Spring Largo about 120 inches (3m) long  and for the most part 24 inches wide.   The Italian words chosen from Vivalidi’s Spring sonnet are, “the pleasant flowery meadow,” using Google translator.  Other translations include “On the flower-strewn meadow,”  “..the meadow, in full flower,”  and “…the flower-rich meadow.”  You have the choice to pick your favorite.  Anyway, since these sonnets are almost 300 years old, and languages change in meanings over the years, who really knows what the correct English translation should be?

Listening to Beethoven’s Piano Concerto # 5.

It is obvious that the different colors around this music represent the flowers.  Another couple of things, the flowery stems of violet and dark purple, are made longer than the usual.  This was done to slow the music down.  Also, these dark purple circles inside the flowers are there to slow the music.

Otis Redding – I’ve Been Loving You to Long.  A great classic R&B song.

One interesting note is that this main canvas is composed of a four foot piece attached to a 6 foot piece.  In the past all multiple canvases have been composed of the same sizes, or part of a combine with a smaller center piece.  The surprise was the first time this work was moved in order to be photographed, how out-of-balance it felt with the four foot left side carrying all the weight. With that thought it mind,  the final decision to use only a sixteen inch by forty-four inch canvas, attached to the light six foot, made sense not only in a musical  but also an architectural way.

Prince – Purple Rain

Even though the background is done for now, there is going to be some changes, too boring, to improve this works originality.  Also, you see looking at the full image, that the drawing above the two yellow flowers, which symbolizes a musical tie, is heading in a new direction.  That is happening because, this artist hates, and fears, the routine, and each of these works demand, in their own right,  originality. What will be seen with each of these Vivaldi works is a gradual maturing of an artistic understanding, and the evolution of the depiction of his music.

James Brown – Get Up Offa That Thing

Shirley Horn – If You Go Away.  A classic that should be heard more often.

Scott Von Holzen

S_V_H Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons(Spring)” Largo image1&2

Published on by Scott Von Holzen

Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons Spring II largo RV 269 the second in a series of 13 works to be completed.

This first image is 120 inches (3.048m) in length by 24 inches (.6m).  The result of this first stage, besides getting my brushes wet again, was to put down different flavors of paint that fit the mood of the music, to see what happens.  That is what you see above, nothing special, only a starting point.  Go to this YouTube link to  Itzhak Perlman’s nice rendition of  Spring.  At about 3 minutes and 20 seconds in, is the beginning of Spring – Largo.  This movement in Spring, is certainly not a favorite, but throwing some paint at it, will put the art and the music in the right light.

Now, this second image is where serious considerations begin to come into play.  The first image has a lot of movement across the canvas, but that has been slowed with the added horizontal brush strokes. Also, the edges where, either sharpened , or better defined, too pull the three parts together. A change, of lately, is that the backgrounds do not have to have that finished look, which  previously meant that a background had to be able to stand on their own, like a separate artwork.  Now, the thought is to work up a good, basic background, and than adjust it when the music comes into play.  That makes more sense, and what comes from experience, which is a good teacher as long has it is not an end in itself.   That is important, especially for a person of my age.  It is good to let-it-fly at times just to see what sticks.

Listening to Itzhak Perlman  and Vivalidi’s Spring.

From here, starts the next challenge.  A number of put-on canvases of different sizes have been prepped.  The music flow will be placed and worked into a good fit, and then the add on canvases will be figured out,  than attached,  which will give this work some life.  Green will still be the dominate color, like in  Summer – allegro non molto, but because it is spring, there will be spots of brighter colors across the work to pop it, and to reflect the season.  It makes sense to change the color schema, not only according to the season, but with each movement,  from early, middle, and late in the season.

Piano Man – Billy Joel

Robert Palmer – Bad Case of Loving You

Scott Von Holzen