American Four Seasons

The American Four Seasons, or Violin Concerto No 2, is a 2009 composition by American composer Philip Glass, designed as a companion piece to Vivaldi's Four Seasons. It was first performed in Toronto on 9 December 2009 by violinist Robert McDuffie and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra conducted by Peter Oundjian, and its first European performance was in London on 17 April 2010 - again McDuffie, but with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Marin Alsop.

The work is unusual because four solo pieces - a prelude and three songs - precede each of the concerto's movements. The solo pieces can also be played together as a separate solo work.  It is scored for solo violin, strings and synthesiser.  The movements have generic titles such as 'Song 3' and 'Movement 4', offering no clues as to the connection with Spring, Summer, Winter or Autumn.

A selection of articles about American Four Seasons

CD Spotlight. Baroque Minimalism and 21st Century Minds - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė listens to music for violin by Philip Glass. 'The magic of this iconic figure in American music is still aweing listeners.'