Antonio VivaldiAntonio VivaldiGrade 11 Music HistoryGrade 11 Music History

Miss Julie De BritaMiss Julie De Brita

Antonio Vivaldi - (1678-Antonio Vivaldi - (1678-1748)1748)• Vivaldi was born on Vivaldi was born on

March 4, 1678 in March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy.Venice, Italy.

• Ordained for Ordained for priesthood in 1703 priesthood in 1703 but ceased to say but ceased to say Mass due to health Mass due to health issues.issues.

The Childhood and Teenage The Childhood and Teenage Years of Antonio VivaldiYears of Antonio Vivaldi

• Vivaldi was taught at violin at a young age Vivaldi was taught at violin at a young age by his father, Giovanni Battista Vivaldi.by his father, Giovanni Battista Vivaldi.

• Antonio Vivaldi was the oldest of nine Antonio Vivaldi was the oldest of nine childrenchildren

• Father and son toured Venice together Father and son toured Venice together playing the violin.playing the violin.

• Entered priesthood in 1693 but left in Entered priesthood in 1693 but left in 1706 due to asthma (some say it was his 1706 due to asthma (some say it was his interest and musical aspirations that lead interest and musical aspirations that lead to his withdrawal from the church).to his withdrawal from the church).http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/classicalcomposers/p/vivaldi.htm

The Early Adult Years of The Early Adult Years of Antonio VivaldiAntonio Vivaldi

• 1703, Vivaldi became maestro di violino at 1703, Vivaldi became maestro di violino at the Pio Ospedale della Pietthe Pio Ospedale della Pietà, a home for à, a home for orphaned, abandoned, and indigent orphaned, abandoned, and indigent children.children.

• The Pietà specialized in the teaching of The Pietà specialized in the teaching of music to girls. music to girls.

• Vivaldi was in charge of teaching the Vivaldi was in charge of teaching the music, taking care of the instruments, and music, taking care of the instruments, and aquiring new ones.aquiring new ones.

The Mid Adult Years of Antonio The Mid Adult Years of Antonio VivaldiVivaldi

• Vivaldi was promoted to maestro de’ Vivaldi was promoted to maestro de’ concert in 1716. concert in 1716.

• It was during these years the Vivaldi wrote It was during these years the Vivaldi wrote much of his music, including many operas much of his music, including many operas and concertos.and concertos.

• Vivaldi began to travel in 1718. It as Vivaldi began to travel in 1718. It as during this time that he wrote his music.during this time that he wrote his music.

• PietPietà paid him to write two concerto’s a à paid him to write two concerto’s a month for the orchestra and to rehearse month for the orchestra and to rehearse with the orchestra atleast four times when with the orchestra atleast four times when in Venice.in Venice.

The Late Adult Years of Antonio The Late Adult Years of Antonio VivaldiVivaldi

• Vivaldi spent most of his later years Vivaldi spent most of his later years traveling extensively, working on and traveling extensively, working on and off with Pietoff with Pietà.à.

Early Works by VivaldiEarly Works by Vivaldi

• Vivaldi soon became popular after leaving Vivaldi soon became popular after leaving the church due to the first publications of the church due to the first publications of his compositions.his compositions.

• His earliest works include trio sonatas, His earliest works include trio sonatas, written in 1703-1705.written in 1703-1705.

• Violin sonatas soon followed in publication Violin sonatas soon followed in publication in 1709.in 1709.

• His reputation grew dramatically after his His reputation grew dramatically after his violin sonatas and especially after his 12 violin sonatas and especially after his 12 concertos concertos l’Estro armonico (Harmonic l’Estro armonico (Harmonic Inspiration) Inspiration) op.3 in 1711.op.3 in 1711.

http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/vivaldi.html

More Works by VivaldiMore Works by Vivaldi

•OratorioOratorio– 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 VivaldiMore Works by Vivaldi

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

More Works by VivaldiMore Works by Vivaldi

•Solo ConcertoSolo 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”

• ““The Four Seasons” (“Le quattro stagioni”) was The Four Seasons” (“Le quattro stagioni”) was written in 1723, said to be Vivaldi’s best-known written in 1723, said to be Vivaldi’s best-known work and is among the most popular pieces of work and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque Music.Baroque Music.

• The concertos were first published in 1725 as a The concertos were first published in 1725 as a part of twelve. part of twelve.

• Each “season” has three parts, fast-slow-fast. Each “season” has three parts, fast-slow-fast. • The seasons each have their different textures The seasons each have their different textures

used to depict the different seasons.used to depict the different seasons.• Vivaldi wrote four sonnets that are to be read Vivaldi wrote four sonnets that are to be read

with the four concertos.with the four concertos.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(Vivaldi)

““Spring”Spring”

• AllegroAllegroSpringtime is upon us.Springtime is upon us.The birds celebrate her return with festive song,The birds celebrate her return with festive song,and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven,mantle over heaven,Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.charming songs once more.

• LargoLargoOn the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.

• AllegroAllegroLed by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.

““Summer”Summer”

• Allegro non moltoAllegro non moltoUnder a hard Season, fired up by the SunUnder a hard Season, fired up by the SunLanguishes man, languishes the flock and burns the pineLanguishes man, languishes the flock and burns the pineWe hear the cuckoo's voice; then sweet songs of the turtledove and finch We hear the cuckoo's voice; then sweet songs of the turtledove and finch are heard.are heard.Soft breezes stir the air... but threatening north wind sweeps them Soft breezes stir the air... but threatening north wind sweeps them suddenly aside.suddenly aside.The shepherd trembles, fearing violent storms and his fate.The shepherd trembles, fearing violent storms and his fate.

• Adagio e piano - Presto e forteAdagio e piano - Presto e forteThe fear of lightning and fierce thunderThe fear of lightning and fierce thunderRobs his tired limbs of restRobs his tired limbs of restAs gnats and flies buzz furiously around.As gnats and flies buzz furiously around.

• PrestoPrestoAlas, his fears were justifiedAlas, his fears were justifiedThe Heavens thunders and roar and majesticallyThe Heavens thunders and roar and majesticallyCuts the head off the wheat and damages the grain.Cuts the head off the wheat and damages the grain.

““Autumn”Autumn”

• AllegroAllegroCelebrates the peasant, with songs and dances,Celebrates the peasant, with songs and dances,The pleasure of a bountiful harvest.The pleasure of a bountiful harvest.And fired up by Bacchus' liquor, many end their revelry in sleep.And fired up by Bacchus' liquor, many end their revelry in sleep.

• Adagio moltoAdagio moltoEveryone is made to forget their cares and to sing and danceEveryone is made to forget their cares and to sing and danceBy the air which is tempered with pleasureBy the air which is tempered with pleasureAnd (by) the season that invites so many, manyAnd (by) the season that invites so many, manyOut of their sweetest slumber to fine enjoymentOut of their sweetest slumber to fine enjoyment

• AllegroAllegroThe hunters emerge at the new dawn,The hunters emerge at the new dawn,And with horns and dogs and guns depart upon their huntingAnd with horns and dogs and guns depart upon their huntingThe beast flees and they follow its trail;The beast flees and they follow its trail;Terrified and tired of the great noiseTerrified and tired of the great noiseOf guns and dogs, the beast, wounded, threatensOf guns and dogs, the beast, wounded, threatensLanguidly to flee, but harried, dies.Languidly to flee, but harried, dies.

““Winter”Winter”

• Allegro non moltoAllegro non moltoShivering, frozen mid the frosty snow in biting, stinging winds;Shivering, frozen mid the frosty snow in biting, stinging winds;running to and fro to stamp one's icy feet, teeth chattering in the running to and fro to stamp one's icy feet, teeth chattering in the bitter chill.bitter chill.

• LargoLargoTo rest contentedly beside the hearth, while those outside are To rest contentedly beside the hearth, while those outside are drenched by pouring rain.drenched by pouring rain.

• AllegroAllegroWe tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling.and falling.Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up.on across the ice lest it cracks up.We feel the chill north winds course through the home despite the We feel the chill north winds course through the home despite the locked and bolted doors...locked and bolted doors...this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.

Ritornello FormRitornello Form

• Vivaldi was said to be the inventor of Vivaldi was said to be the inventor of the Ritornello Form.the Ritornello Form.

• Ritornello Form is an instrumental Ritornello Form is an instrumental interlude during early 17interlude during early 17thth century century opera.opera.

Antonio VivaldiAntonio Vivaldi

• Vivaldi died on July 28, 1741, while Vivaldi died on July 28, 1741, while on a trip to Vienna.on a trip to Vienna.

• He was given a paupers burial.He was given a paupers burial.

Reference SlideReference 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