SEASONS, THE

Seasons, The: translation

(Die Jahreszeiten)

A frequently performedoratoriocomposed byFranz Joseph Haydnand premiered on 24 April 1801 at the Palais Schwarzenberg inVienna. The libretto by Baron Gottfried van Swieten, very loosely based on J. Thomson’s English poem,The Seasons(1726), reflects on providential changes in nature through the year. There are four parts; each "season" concludes with aHandelianchorus. The work is scored for full classical orchestra, four-voiced chorus, and soprano, tenor, and bass soloists. It requires about two and one-half hours to perform.