The Rolling Year: Listening to the Seasons with Vivaldi

by Hannah French

Embrace the art of listening seasonally with BBC Radio 3 presenter Dr Hannah French as she explores Antonio Vivaldi's evergreen The Four Seasons.

'The Four Seasons', Antonio Vivaldi's famous set of highly descriptive violin concertos, was published 300 years ago, but the themes it contains continue to reveal new truths to listeners today.

Through the rich imagery of each concerto and its accompanying poetry, Dr Hannah French uncovers the detail of Vivaldi's personal and creative life. In conversation with fellow musicians and experts in health, nature, food, wine, and science, she helps bring a new perspective to the music through our shared experiences of the joys and fears of the ever-evolving seasons.

To spend a year in the company of Vivaldi is to witness the sounds of both ancient festivals and the beauty and brutality of the natural world - a rolling year that enhances our sensory experience of the seasons today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you’re a classical music fan or not, somewhere along the line you’re likely to have heard a part of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. This book explores each of the seasons, its origins, the life of Vivaldi and how his work continues to inspire new versions. I found this book so uplifting, so evocative and inspires a love of music.

[Chris Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and extremely accessible social history of The Four Seasons, alongside Vivaldi’s life and inspiration. Really well-written and researched. From the local birdsong to Venice’s big freeze and the way his health impacted his work. I’m no classical music buff…but loved the way the author ‘opened up’ the poems that inspired the music. And explained the music too.