Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Vivaldi - (1678-1748) Vivaldi was born on March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy. Ordained for priesthood in 1703 but ceased to say Mass due to health issues.

The Childhood and Teenage Years of Antonio Vivaldi Vivaldi was taught at violin at a young age by his father, Giovanni Battista Vivaldi. Antonio Vivaldi was the oldest of nine children Father and son toured Venice together playing the violin. Entered priesthood in 1693 but left in 1706 due to asthma (some say it was his interest and musical aspirations that lead to his withdrawal from the church). http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/classicalcomposers/p/vivaldi.htm

The Early Adult Years of Antonio Vivaldi 1703, Vivaldi became maestro di violino at the Pio Ospedale della Pietà, a home for orphaned, abandoned, and indigent children. The Pietà specialized in the teaching of music to girls. Vivaldi was in charge of teaching the music, taking care of the instruments, and aquiring new ones.

The Mid Adult Years of Antonio Vivaldi Vivaldi was promoted to maestro de’ concert in 1716. It was during these years the Vivaldi wrote much of his music, including many operas and concertos. Vivaldi began to travel in 1718. It as during this time that he wrote his music. Pietà paid him to write two concerto’s a month for the orchestra and to rehearse with the orchestra atleast four times when in Venice.

The Late Adult Years of Antonio Vivaldi Vivaldi spent most of his later years traveling extensively, working on and off with Pietà.

Early Works by Vivaldi Vivaldi soon became popular after leaving the church due to the first publications of his compositions. His earliest works include trio sonatas, written in 1703-1705. Violin sonatas soon followed in publication in 1709. His reputation grew dramatically after his violin sonatas and especially after his 12 concertos l’Estro armonico (Harmonic Inspiration) op.3 in 1711. http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/vivaldi.html

More Works by Vivaldi Oratorio Moyses Deus Pharaonis, RV 643 - 1714 Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernes barbarie, RV 644 - 1716 L'adorazione delli tre re magi al bambino Gesù nella capanna di Betlemme, RV 645 - 1722 La vittoria navale predetta dal S Pontefice Pio V Ghisilieri, RV 782 - 1713

More Works by Vivaldi Opera Ottone in villa, RV 729 - 1713 Orlando finto pazzo, RV 727 - 1714 La verità in cimento, RV 739 - 1720 Siroe, re di Persia, RV 735 - 1727 Rosilena ed Oronta, RV 720 - 1728 La fida ninfa, RV 714 - 1732

More Works by Vivaldi Solo Concerto "La Primavera" (The Four Seasons), op. 8 no. 1, RV 269 - E Major "Il favorito", op. 11 no. 2, RV 277 - e minor "Il corneto da posta", RV 363 - B flat Major "L'autunno", op. 8 no. 3, RV 293 - F Major

“The Four Seasons” “The Four Seasons” was written in 1723, said to be Vivaldi’s best-known work and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque Music. The concertos were first published in 1725 as a part of twelve. Each “season” has three parts, fast-slow-fast. The seasons each have their different textures used to depict the different seasons. Vivaldi wrote four sonnets that are to be read with the four concertos. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(Vivaldi)

“Spring” Allegro Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more. Largo On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. Allegro Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.

“Summer” Allegro non molto Under a hard Season, fired up by the Sun Languishes man, languishes the flock and burns the pine We hear the cuckoo's voice; then sweet songs of the turtledove and finch are heard. Soft breezes stir the air... but threatening north wind sweeps them suddenly aside. The shepherd trembles, fearing violent storms and his fate. Adagio e piano - Presto e forte The fear of lightning and fierce thunder Robs his tired limbs of rest As gnats and flies buzz furiously around. Presto Alas, his fears were justified The Heavens thunders and roar and majestically Cuts the head off the wheat and damages the grain.

“Autumn” Allegro Celebrates the peasant, with songs and dances, The pleasure of a bountiful harvest. And fired up by Bacchus' liquor, many end their revelry in sleep. Adagio molto Everyone is made to forget their cares and to sing and dance By the air which is tempered with pleasure And (by) the season that invites so many, many Out of their sweetest slumber to fine enjoyment Allegro The hunters emerge at the new dawn, And with horns and dogs and guns depart upon their hunting The beast flees and they follow its trail; Terrified and tired of the great noise Of guns and dogs, the beast, wounded, threatens Languidly to flee, but harried, dies.

“Winter” Allegro non molto Shivering, frozen mid the frosty snow in biting, stinging winds; running to and fro to stamp one's icy feet, teeth chattering in the bitter chill. Largo To rest contentedly beside the hearth, while those outside are drenched by pouring rain. Allegro We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling. Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up. We feel the chill north winds course through the home despite the locked and bolted doors... this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.

Ritornello Form Vivaldi was said to be the inventor of the Ritornello Form. Ritornello Form is an instrumental interlude during early 17th century opera.

Antonio Vivaldi Vivaldi died on July 28, 1741, while on a trip to Vienna. He was given a paupers burial.

Reference Slide http://www.answers.com/topic/ritornello?cat=entertainment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(Vivaldi) http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/classicalcomposers/p/vivaldi.htm http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/vivaldi.html http://www.baroquemusic.org/bqxvivaldi.html