Music Through the Ages Tuesday, January 26th

Antonio Vivaldi Born in 1678 and died in 1741 Italian born composer, spent most of his career in Venice For most of his career, 1703-1740, Vivaldi worked at the Pio Ospedale della Pietá. The Pietá, for all intensive purposes, was an orphanage at this time. This particular one had a significant music program which Vivaldi led. Known for writing many Concerto’s, especially the violin along with other instruments. Sacred choral works and more than forty operas. Best known work is The Four Seasons

Vivaldi’s Early Years As a child, Vivaldi was exceptional at playing the violin Vivaldi’s first teacher was his father, Giovanni Battista a barber Vivaldi suffered from what we know today as asthma or strettezza di petto (tightness of the chest) This hindered Vivaldi’s ability to play instruments but did not limit him as a violinist or composer In 1693, Vivaldi began studying to become a priest and was ordained in 1703 and was eloquently nicknamed il Prete Rosso (The Red Priest)

Works by Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 6, No. 3 Opening ritornello, followed by 1st episode, back to ritornello, episode 2, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTPiZup0QmM Vivaldi “Gloria” Composed during his time at Pietá Consists of 12 movements for choir and orchestra https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vivaldi+gloria

Mantua In 1718, Vivaldi was offered the position of Maestro di Cappella in the court of Phillip of Hesse-Darmstadt, governor of Mantua Here, Vivaldi began developing his operatic style further and also performed for Pope Benedict XIII in 1722 It was during his years in Mantua that Vivaldi created probably his most popular pieces, the Four Seasons

Terms to know Concerto – A piece for a soloist and orchestra. Concerto grosso – A multi-movement baroque piece for a group of soloists (concertino) and an orchestra (ripieno). Concertino – A short concerto or the group of soloists in a concerto grosso. Ripieno – In a concerto grosso, the full orchestra, as opposed to the concertino. Ritornello Form – The return to the tutti (full orchestra) in a baroque concerto.

The Four Seasons A collection of pieces composed in 1720 and is considered to be Vivaldi’s best known works. They were said to have been written in collaboration with four sonnets, but there is no record of what they were. Each of the following concerto’s is divided into 3 movements. Concerto No. 1 in E major (SPRING) Allegro, Largo, Allegro Concerto No. 2 in G minor (SUMMER) Allegro non molto, Adagio e piano, Presto Concerto No. 3 in F major (AUTUMN) Allegro, Adagio molto, Allegro Concerto No. 4 in F minor (WINTER) Allegro non molto, Largo, Allegro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4kTei0XrCs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g65oWFMSoK0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfmGsC1PGFQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu6Hr9kd-U0