Composer of the Month: Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian composer, teacher, and virtuosic violinist. He was one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, alongside J.S. Bach and G. F. Handel.
The Life & Music of Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born in Venice on March 4, 1678. His father was a professional violinist and taught young Antonio to play from a very early age.
When he was 25, Vivaldi was ordained as a priest. Because of his bright red hair, he quickly earned the nickname il Prete Rosso, “The Red Priest.” However, presumably due to health conditions (it is now speculated that he may have had severe asthma), Vivaldi did not preach much, if at all.
At the age of 24, Vivaldi began teaching music and the violin at Ospedale della Pietà, a combination convent, orphanage, and music school. His students’ talents grew so much that they became renowned across Europe.
As a virtuosic violinist himself, Vivaldi wrote much music for violin and strings. Perhaps his most well-known piece of music is “The Four Seasons,” a set of four violin concertos, each written to paint a musical picture of a season. A concerto is a piece of music for a soloist or small group of soloists, accompanied by an orchestra. And Vivaldi wrote over 500 concertos for violin, strings, and other instruments including trumpet, flute, and mandolin.
During his lifetime, opera was the most popular musical entertainment, and Vivaldi made his mark on this genre. Though a letter by Vivaldi talks of a total of 94 operas, only 50 are known about today. He also wrote a great deal of sacred music, and even had works commissioned by royalty across Europe.
The 18th century was a time of great musical change, and despite his initial acclaim, Vivaldi’s works soon fell out of fashion. He died poor in Vienna in 1741, at the age of 63
Vivaldi’s Greatest Hits
“Spring” from “The Four Seasons” was written to imitate the sounds of springtime. Do you hear singing birds, happy flowers blooming, and a rainstorm?
“Spring” (full piece) from “The Four Seasons” - featuring performances on Baroque style instruments
“Spring” (1st movement) illustrated! - animations illustrate the sounds of spring Vivaldi captured with his music
Mandolin Concerto - Vivaldi wrote only one concerto for mandolin, and it’s a delightful piece! The mandolin is tuned like a violin, but is plucked rather than bowed. It was a very popular instrument in Southern Italy during the Baroque era, and is now heard in American bluegrass!
Mandolin Concerto - this solo performance is accompanied by mandolins, too!
Gloria in D Major - Vivaldi composed this piece for the choir and orchestra of the Ospedale della Pieta. In this sacred work, you can hear how Vivaldi uses the different sounds of the string, wind, and brass instruments of the orchestra with that of voices.
Gloria - featuring performances on Baroque style instruments
Students! Check your practice assignments and email for more Antonio Vivaldi resources. Complete at least one of these to collect a Vivaldi trading card!
