Accordion, Vivaldi, and Sand Animation

And now for something entirely different. Accordion, Vivaldi, and Sand Animation.

Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons has been a favorite piece of Western classical since I was in school. I hardly get to listen to it these days. Today I came across this amazing kid playing a bit of it on his accordion. It is the third part (Presto, or very fast) of the second movement “Summer.”

The accordion has always fascinated me. How the players manage to hit the keys is a mystery to me. Anyhow, the kid is talented. Listen.

His tempo is really very fast. Compare it to this version played with the full string orchestra. The fast bit starts around 7:10 mark.

And while you listen, enjoy the exquisite sand animation.

Ah the sand animation is exquisite.

And finally, here’s a Danish (I guess) orchestra playing Summer. Just listen to the Presto part beginning at the 8:00 mark. But listen to the entire piece — I especially love the slow bits that lead up to the climactic crescendo. C’est magnifique.