Vivaldi brought a new depth and singing quality to slow movements, a cross-over from his vocal writing. One of the most influential instrumental music publications of the 18th century, L’estro armonico set new standards in violin playing. “It was not only the outward form, so original and different, of Vivaldi’s L’estro armonico which fascinated and enthralled musicians all over Europe but the intensely personal style-the ‘Vivaldi style’ par excellence, with its wiry, nervous sound and that intense concentration of rhythmic designs which, once experienced, are literally unforgettable.” H.C. 3, L’estro armonico (the harmonic inspiration, 1711), a published collection of 12 concertos for one, two, and four solo violins accompanied by strings and continuo. His style caught fire and blazed across Europe, starting with his Op. Vivaldi’s concertos brought together the right elements at the right time to influence a generation of composers. (“His vanity was notorious” according to biographer Michael Talbot.) Corelli’s students organized memorial concerts every year for decades after his death-Vivaldi had already been forgotten by the time he died penniless in 1741 in far-away Vienna. He was brash, egotistical, and his playing was as fiery as his difficult personality. Corelli had a lot of qualities that Vivaldi didn’t: he was well educated, a respected mentor and teacher, and a writer of virtuosic but tasteful music. It developed out of the trio sonata and its three solo instruments-two violins and cello-were accompanied by strings and continuo. When Vivaldi was starting out, the concerto form popularized by Rome-based composer Arcangelo Corelli dominated Italian instrumental music. Diamonstein-Spielvogel Initiative for Music and Community Engagement. Throughout the 1730s Vivaldi continued to travel widely - to Bohemia, Austria and throughout Italy - despite the fact that his worsening health meant taking an expensive entourage of carers.ĭestitute and alone, he passed away in Vienna in 1741 and was buried cheaply the same day in a hospital cemetery which sadly no longer exists. Remarkably, this was to remain his base for the greater part of his life, from 1703 to 1740, though with several prolonged 'leaves of absence'. He studied for 10 years, received Holy Orders in 1703 and earned the nickname "il prete rosso" (the red priest) from the distinctive colour of his hair.īy September 1703 Vivaldi had already secured his first professional appointment as maestro di violino at the Pio Ospedale della Pieta, one of four orphanages for girls in Venice. Vivaldi's father, Giovanni Battista, was a violinist at St Mark's Cathedral, and although he taught the prodigiously gifted Antonio to play from early childhood, a musical career seemed unlikely, especially when, aged 15, he was shunted off to join the priesthood. The reason for his emergency baptism is not known for certain but is likely due to his poor health or to an earthquake that shook Venice on that day. The exact date of Vivaldi's birth (4th March 1678) confounded scholars for many years, although it was known that following his delivery the midwife performed an emergency baptism. His vast output included substantial quantities of chamber and vocal music, some 46 operas and a remarkable 500 concertos.Ī colourful character with an eye for the ladies, Vivaldi defied a lifetime of ill-health by regularly absenting himself from his home base of Venice in a desperate attempt to establish an international reputation. Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) was one of the most productive composers of the Baroque era.
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