First Sunday Music - Antonio Vivaldi

[HoosierHawk]

Antonio Vivaldi

His Life

Vivaldi was born March 4, 1678, in Venice, and was trained by his father, a violinist at Saint Mark's Cathedral. Ordained a priest in 1703, Vivaldi began teaching that year at the Ospedale della Pietà, a conservatory for orphaned girls. He was associated with the Pietà, usually as music director, until 1740, training the students, composing concertos and oratorios for weekly concerts, and meanwhile establishing an international reputation. From 1713 on, Vivaldi was also active as an opera composer and producer in Venice and traveled to Rome, Mantua (Mantova), and elsewhere to oversee performances of his operas. In about 1740 he accepted a position at the court of Emperor Charles VI in Vienna. He died in Vienna on July 28, 1741.

Read more of Vivaldi's compositions and influence.

The Four Seasons

The English Concert on Period Instruments conducted by Trevor Pinnock featuring Simon Standage on Violin

Violin Concertos - I

The Polish Chamber Orchesta conducted by Jerzy Maksymiak featuring Yehudi Menuhin on Violin

Violin Concertos - II

The Polish Chamber Orchesta conducted by Yehudi Menuhin with Yehudi Menuhin on Violin with accompaniment by Leland Chen on Violin, Trul Mork on Cello, Neil Black on Oboe, David Bell on Organ and John Constable on Harpsichord.

[HoosierHawk]

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, friends, and allies on this Labor Day Weekend.

Classical Music presented on the first Sunday of every month.

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[HoosierHawk]

Ping for First Sunday Music!

Antonio Vivaldi!

[HoosierHawk]

And of course, the Labor Day Weekend was last month.

Enjoy!

[SWAMPSNIPER]

We thank you much!

[HoosierHawk]

Ping to First Sunday Music!

Sheez, I'm taking a break!

[HoosierHawk]

Glad you enjoy.

[mylife]

Thanks Hawk! Nice work

[Publius]

Stay away from modern instrument recordings of Vivali pieces. It's not just that steel strings lack the plangency of gut strings, but that until recently we didn't have a clear view of Baroque performance practice.

Baroque music was a lot like jazz. In oratorios and operas, in a da capo aria, the notes on the printed page were ironclad in the first pass through the piece. But on the second pass, the singer was expected to improvise his own ornamentation to show off his vocal chops. Likewise, in a concerto, the notes on the printed page were often a suggestion, where the instrumentalist was expected to improvise around the printed line.

For the L'Estro Armonica violin concertos, stick with Pinnock and Standage. By the way, in the first movement of the B minor concerto (#10) for 4 violins, Vivaldi uses a chromatic chord progression that is very un-Baroque. In fact it makes the top of your head come off.

There is a recording of Vivaldi's lute and mandolin concerti by Il Giardino Armonico conducted by Antonini (Teldec 4509-91182-2) that is exceptional. Compare Antonini's Concerto for Diverse Instruments in C Major (RV 558) with Leonard Bernstein's recording with some New York Philharmonic players made in 1959. Bernstein's recording follows the score religiously but lacks the bite of Antonini's faster speed, the plangency of gut stringed violins, and the freshness of improvisation.

[HoosierHawk]

Thanks, mylife.

Glad you enjoy.

[HoosierHawk]

I appreciate the input.

I found this recording on Amazon and am listening to the samplers right now. Very enjoyable. And the price is right.

Thanks,

HH

[yorkie]

Thank you! I’m so glad I found you, today! (The sound quality is great!)

[Publius]

That is a killer recording. Best money I ever spent.

[HoosierHawk]

I’m glad you enjoy. : )

[AZamericonnie]

Sheez, I'm taking a break!

Don't you dare! :)

Thank you for the Vivaldi HH....soothing for the soul!

[Concerto in D]

Is that the same one I’m thinking of—Concerto in D for lute and guitar? The largo movement can bring tears to my eyes.

Hmmmmmmmm—Concerto in D. Coincidence? I think not.

[Concerto in D]

Oops—I see that’s Concerto in C. Sorry about that.

[MountainFlower]

Thanks, so much Hoosier! Great thread!!