The Four Seasons’ evocative storytelling and vivid imagery make it one of the most famous works in chamber music. Written by the Venetian composer, violinist, poet, and cleric Antonio Vivaldi (affectionately known as the Red Priest because of his flaming red hair), these four violin concerti are considered the crown jewels of the Italian baroque.
One of the most intense and deeply emotional works of the 20th century, Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony combines moments of haunting beauty with relentless energy. It is based on his original string quartet piece, of which Shostakovich wrote, “When I die, no one will write music in my memory, so I decided to write it myself.”
Heinrich Biber’s imaginative Battalia is an early baroque soundscape of battle preparations, blunted by drunken musketeer songs and war, ending with a mournful lament.