Is Vivaldi Still the Soundtrack of the Seasons? With Dr Hannah French

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 23 November 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Can music help us notice nature more deeply? In this episode, Dr Leah Broad speaks to broadcaster and author Dr Hannah French about the enduring influence and legacy of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. This year is the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. It’s therefore the perfect occasion for Dr Hannah French to explore the seasons as Vivaldi would have experienced them. Whether it's the song of local birds or an impending storm, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons intimate relationship with nature remains a source of inspiration for many musicians, authors and artists. Once an academic and baroque flautist, Dr Hannah French now presents BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show, Saturday Breakfast Show, and live concerts including the BBC Proms. Her first book was Sir Henry Wood Champion of J.S. Bach. Her latest book is The Rolling Year: Listening to the Seasons with Vivaldi. --- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:46.5	We're sponsored by the Woodland Trust, which protects woods and woodland wildlife,
0:50.5	such as red squirrels and dormice, all across Britain.
0:53.9	Escaping into nature, especially walking among the trees, boosts your mental and physical
0:58.6	well-being.
1:00.0	Plus, there's always a great chance for thrilling encounters with the birds and other animals
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1:20.8	Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.
1:24.6	I'm producer Mia Serente.
1:27.0	At 300 years old, Antonio Vivaldi's The Four
	...

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