Antonio Vivaldi 16781741

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Antonio Vivaldi1678-1741

• p. 121

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Vivaldi

• Italian composer
• Trained as musician and priest
• Known as the red priest
• Violin teacher, composer, conductor
• Girls orphanage
• Died in poverty in spite of his fame

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Vivaldi

• Wrote instrumental music and operas
• Wrote 450 solo concertos and concerti grossi

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Vivaldi

• Spring from The Four Seasons (1725)
• Op. 8 No. 1
• Op. is abbreviation for opus
• Translated as work
• Plural is opera

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Vivaldi, Spring from The Four Seasons

• Solo Concerto for violin, string orchestra, and
  basso continuo
• Think of this as one soloist vs. orchestra
• Program music
• Describes in music sounds and events associated
  with the seasons

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Vivaldi, Spring

• Three movements
• Fast
• Slow
• Fast
• Movements 1 and 3 are in ritornello form

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Vivaldi, SpringFirst movement Allegro

• Spring has come, and joyfully,
• The birds greet it with a happy song.
• And the streams, fanned by gentle breezes,
• Flow along with a sweet murmur.
• Covering the sky with a block cloak,
• Thunder and lightning come to announce the
  season.
• When these have quieted down, the little birds
• Return to their enchanting song.