Biography By Wendy Duke

Born March 4, 1678 Composer Priest Violinist Died July 28, 1741

Trained to become a priest Received a free education Ordained in 1703 Became a teacher in 1703 at Pio Ospedale della pieta Taught on and off from Published his first works in 1703 First operatic production Orlando finto pazzo 1714

Estienne Roger published 12 concertos ‘l’Estro armonico’ (Harmonic Inspiration) 1718 Went to Mantua Traveling with his new opera Armida al campo d’Egitto 1720 Went to Rome to perform for Pope Clement XI

Made a deal to write 140 Concertos in 6 years He wrote The Four Seasons in this time Also Storm at Sea, Pleasure, and The Hunt Wrote over 500 concertos in his lifetime Click on the picture to hear Storm at Sea by Vivaldi

He did not write for the intellectual minority He wrote his music for all to enjoy He died in poverty Buried in the least expensive type of grave. Died in Vienna.

Vivaldi’s work regained popularity Pieces of The Four Seasons used commercially Music resurrected by Alfred Casella

Composition History- The Four Seasons

Spring Movements I, II, and III Autumn Movement I

Bach was influenced by Vivaldi He liked his concertos and arias

The Four Seasons was written in 1723 Published in 1725 First recorded in 1942 Second recording by Louis Kaufman in 1947 Over 1,000 recordings since

The Four Seasons has been used in movies Tin Cup Spy Game A View to Kill What Lies Beneath White Chicks The Other Sister and more.

Listening Guide Movements I, II, & III

Click on picture to open music player window. 0:00-0:24

0:33-1:56

2:19-3:07 End of the first movement.

6:20-6:53

7:20-10:17

Listening Guide Movement I

Click on the picture to open a window that will play the song. 0:00-0:25

0:32-2:04

2:16-3:39

8 Notes. 10 June Encyclopedia of World Biography. 12 June Green, Aaron. About.com. 10 June Gutmann, Peter. Classical Notes June Unknown. Baroque Music. 10 June Zukerman, Pinchas. Arts Alive June Gutmann, Peter. Classical Notes June 2011.