Lost Vivaldi concerto found in Scotland

Reuters ^ | 100710 | Stefano Ambrogi

[Artemis Webb]

LONDON (Reuters Life!) – A lost flute concerto by 18th century composer and virtuoso violinist Antonio Vivaldi has been discovered by an academic among a set of dusty papers housed in Scotland's National Archives in Edinburgh.

The extraordinary find, a 300-year-old copy of the Italian Baroque composer's original manuscript, comprises the parts for "Il Gran Mogol," one of a quartet of national concertos.

The others, entitled "La Francia," "La Spagna" and "L'Inghilterro" remain lost.

The musical score, which scholars believe may never have been performed, was found and authenticated by Southampton University research fellow Andrew Woolley.

"This piece was previously known only from a mention in the sale catalog of an 18th-century Dutch bookseller. Discovering that it is actually in existence is unexpected and hugely exciting," Woolley said.

Peter Franklin, spokesman for the University of Southampton, said: "this is an 18th century published copy of the original, so it's not in Vivaldi's own hand, but we don't know of any other copy in existence."

[Artemis Webb]

ping

[fwdude]

Vivaldi is one of the few Baroque composers I can stand to listen to for an extended period of time. Him, and Back.

[sitetest]

Dear Aretemis Webb,

Thanks for the ping!

Classical Music Ping List ping!

If you want on or off this list, let me know via FR e-mail.

Thanks,

sitetest

[jagusafr]

As my Mom would say, “Well, where’s the last place you had it?”

[MinuteGal]

I HATE Vivaldi!

I'd rather listen to an hour-long audio from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at opening.

Leni

[DJ MacWoW]

Him, and Back.

You mean J S Bach?

[Borges]

Vivaldi didn’t write 500 concertoes - he wrote one concerto 500 times. - Strainvsky

[Pyro7480]

Eh, Stravinsky couldn't write anything like this: RV558

[Damifino]

Who thought to look in that little compartment under the bench cushion?

[Maigret]

That’s ok, I love him enough for both of us :)

[Kimmers]

I love Vivaldi.....and Ralph Vaughn Williams......

[fwdude]

I’m sorry, yes, Bach.

[dfwgator]

You mean J S Bach?

"Ahhhh, Bach!"

[DJ MacWoW]

I thought that was who you meant. :-)

My Dad liked Chopins music but never could say his name correctly. LOL

[andy58-in-nh]

Vivaldi can be a bit monotonous, but for fun, just try to imagine The Four Seasons played on bagpipes.

[DJ MacWoW]

LOL! I’m not an aficionado but do like some pieces. Mostly piano concertos.

[Young Werther]

still searching!

[Pharmboy]

True enough, but Vivaldi couldn't write anything like this.

[krb]

and Back

I'll be Back:

[Hot Tabasco]

I wonder if it had ketsup and mustard drops on it......

[Pyro7480]

What was the point of putting that pic up?

[Artemis Webb]

I have no idea how the photo relates but I’m certainly not going to complain. :)

[EveningStar]

Vivaldi didn’t write 500 concertoes - he wrote one concerto 500 times. - Strainvsky

LOL! I was going to post that! :)

[billorites]

"What was the point of putting that pic up?"

Something about a double concerto I suppose...

Double concerto in D.

[Pyro7480]

LOL! Now I get it! ;-)

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[onedoug]

¨Scotland? What´d he say about Scotland?¨

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Vivaldi didn’t write 500 concertoes - he wrote one concerto 500 times. - Strainvsky “

My esteem for Stravinsky just went up a notch ;-)

[AnnaZ]

How cool... I absolutely love Vivaldi.

[stephenjohnbanker]

I prefer Bach.....Vivaldi Palin comparison.

[Young Werther]

Helen Thomas dated Vivalduh!

Happy?

[Pyro7480]

NO!!!!

[TAdams8591]

Wow, pretty amazing. How will it be received by audiences?

[Paisan]

A few years back, one of the sole Classical music radio stations in Boston, WCRB, ran a Listeners Poll to determine the FAVORITE (or BEST, my memory is hazy) CLASSICAL COMPOSER of all time. The listeners chose Vivaldi overwhelmingly, subjecting the rest of us to 24 hours of ascending and descending rolling strings.

Why Vivaldi? I surmised later that, due to the acute concentration of colleges in Boston, the listeners, good little indoctrinaires that they were, were merely parroting the opinions of the various college “professors” who taught the required Music Appreciation class. Vivaldi, from what I can recall from this “Required Elective”, figures predominantly. One can go mentally baroque listening to those whiny strings...

[rustbucket]

The listeners chose Vivaldi overwhelmingly, subjecting the rest of us to 24 hours of ascending and descending rolling strings.

Why Vivaldi? I surmised later that, due to the acute concentration of colleges in Boston, the listeners, good little indoctrinaires that they were, were merely parroting the opinions of the various college “professors” who taught the required Music Appreciation class.

Hmmm. I took a "Music Before 1750" course at MIT in the 1950s. It was not a required course. I just checked the textbook we used. There were 50 Baroque pieces discussed in the book -- not a one by Vivaldi. I think Vivaldi was just being rediscovered when the textbook was written in 1951. I found Vivaldi outside of the course. The more I became familiar with Vivaldi, the less I was interested in Bach. My classical pianist wife loves to play Bach. But most of Bach's pieces don't do much for me.

I can't imagine Bach doing a piece like this: Antonio Vivaldi - Dorilla in Tempe (RV 709) - Aria; Ret [or Rete] lacci: Link 1

Or this. There is another wonderful piece in Dorilla in Tempe to which I cannot find a YouTube link. It is Act II, Scene 12, a rollicking piece about a hunt. You can hear the start of it here: Link 2

Here is Dorilla in Tempe's vocal rendition of part of the Four Seasons: Link 3

[stephenjohnbanker]

LOL!

Great Post

[Paisan]

I must concede that, being a lover of all things ‘instrumentally virtuoso’, I DO have a copy of The Four Seasons featuring Perlman on violin.

Every generation has their Heifitz, Stern, Perlman, Shaham - prodigies that interpret the classics with renewed energy and feeling. Still, the Three B’s, will always remain at the top of the list. Of course, I still have a personal affinity for the Italian Operatic composers. (see Screen Name)

OK, throw in Bizet and Offenbach...

[Daffynition]

Eureka! Rock version post haste. ;)

[rustbucket]

I went through several stages in music appreciation. By the time I was 12, I had virtually memorized recordings of two Verdi operas and a Puccini opera. Then I shifted into string music for a few years. Beethoven was my favorite then. However, after being exposed to Baroque music, Baroque vocal music became and remains my favorite.

Here's another Vivaldi favorite of mine, the introduction to his oratorio "Juditha Triumphans:" Link. Dig the Baroque trumpets (no valves). And another piece from Juditha Triumphans: Link 2.

Another Baroque favorite, Pergolesi: Link 3. It is a shame he died at 26.

Other Baroque favorites include Schutz, Gabrieli, Praetorius, Handel, Alessandro Scarlatti, Purcell, Rameau.

[mozarky2]

¨Scotland? What´d he say about Scotland?¨

“I wrote that concerto with me own bare hands, but do they call me Angus the composer? NAE!”

[Tainan]

Scottish related sorta ping

[who_would_fardels_bear]

“Well, where’s the last place you had it?”

It was found where you put it, next to the keys to the Buick.

But then that opens a whole 'nother can of worms.

[Daffynition]

I shop there too.

[Daffynition]

[monkapotamus]

[luvbach1]

Eh, Stravinsky couldn't write anything like this: RV558

Right you are. And Vivaldi probably couldn't write anything like The Rite of Spring. That said, it's only fair to say that both composers are worthy. The Vivaldi concerto you linked is an example of Vivaldi at his best. And that's not bad.

[luvbach1]

Vivaldi’s was/is very good; Bach’s music was/is sublime. So no contest.

[luvbach1]

Still, the Three B’s, will always remain at the top of the list.

Who is Mozart? Chopped liver?:o)

[Paisan]

too many notes...