MUSIC 1010 Semester Presentation

ANTONIO VIVALDI

BIOGRAPHY Born in Venice Italy March 4 1678 The son of professional violinist

Giovanni Battista Baptized in his home immediately after

birth Nickname “Il prete rosso” (The red

priest)

EARLY LIFE AND CHILDHOOD Father introduced Antonio to music Initially learned to play the violin Antonio also learned from many of the

prominent musicians in Venice at the time.

OSPEDALE DELLE PIETAWas referred to as an orphanage

Home to the female offspring of the noble men

The best musical resources in Venice

OSPEDALE DELLE PIETA (CONTINUED)

1703 Antonio was named Master of violin.

While working in this position he created some of his greatest works.

1716 students received international attention under Antonio’s direction.

COMPOSITIONS Composed many violin concertos.

Many compositions were created from five finger exercises that he would work on with his students.

Also wrote many opera compositions

MOST WELL KNOWN COMPOSITION

The Four Seasons Violin Concerto Four different sections Sections distinctly represent each

season

COMPOSTION HISTORY Four Seasons published in 1725. Part of 12 concertos titled Cimento Dell

Armonia e Dell Invention ( Test of harmony and invention).

Each concerto distinctly represent one of the four season of the year.

Antonio also wrote sonnets that accompany each movement.

COMPOSITION HISTORY (SONNET) Spring Sonnet: Depicts melody of birds greeting the season Summer Sonnet: Depicts harshness of season/summer storm. Winter Sonnet: Portrays freezing temperature and strong

winds Autumn Sonnet: Depicts the joy of harvest

LISTENING GUIDE SPRING

LISTENING GUIDE (SPRING) Spring Concerto: 0:00 The first movement of introduces the excitement and rebirth of spring begins with the

violins playing the main theme in E major forte. The tempo of this movement is allegro.

At 00:02 you will hear the dynamic change as the violins begin to play in a softer tone.

At 00:14 the dynamic grows in strength for a moment then softens as it prepares to introduce a solo that is performed by the violin. We then hear the first violin solo of the concerto which begins at 00:27. The violin plays high pitch trills which sounds like music in the air from the birds who have returned with spring.

1:37 the mood intensifies as the violins begin to play at a faster tempo. We see an example of a disjunct melody as the violins play a piece that ascends and leaps from low to a high pitch.

01:44 you will hear the second violin solo of the movement. This solo is at a fast tempo and is accompanied by the cellos. The violin will play in a high pitch and the cello responds in a lower pitch getting lower each time it responds to the violin.

2:53 you will hear the orchestra playing the main them together as the first movement concludes. The form of this piece is lively and upbeat. It varies back and forth from forte to piano. The forte pieces set the mood for the excitement of spring as the piano portions also give a sense of calm water flowing down stream.

LISTENING GUIDE SUMMER

LISTENING GUIDE SUMMER Summer Concerto: 0:00 The first movement of summer begins with the strings portion

of the orchestra in G minor playing in soft dynamic. In Theme A the timbre is dark and the slow pace portrays the tiring atmosphere of the harsh elements of summer.

At 1:04 Theme B the tempo increases and there is a violin solo that is accompanied by the viola. This section gives the feel of a dark thunderstorm that rolls in to change the elements of summer.

1:39 the orchestra joins in and the tempo continues to crescendo and then returns to Theme A at 1:48.

2:51 Theme B returns as the orchestra plays together. You can hear the notes plated by the violins in the form of an arch as they repeatedly go higher and then descend.

4:40 you again hear the orchestra playing together at an upbeat tempo. The scales continue to rise and fall. It then descends as the movement concludes.

LISTENING GUIDE WINTER

LISTENING GUIDE WINTER Winter Concerto: 0:00 The first movement of winter is preformed in F minor. The timbre of

the orchestra is sharp and you can immediately feel the chill that the winter elements create.

00:14 you begin to hear the violin play trills that continue to crescendo as the song progresses.

00:39 you hear a fast tempo violin solo. 1:13 The violins begin to play the main theme. The sharpness of the notes

and the fast tempo greatly contribute to the feel of the season and somewhat paints the picture of a snow storm with strong freezing winds.

1:07 The violins and the cello begin playing piano and the dynamic gets increasingly stronger and grows to forte at 1:14.

1:30 The violin will play fugue interweaving two different melodies as they somewhat respond back and forth to one another as the piece comes together.

3:02 The main theme returns and the tempo increases as the first movement of winter concludes.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY Bibliography:   “Antonio Vivaldi Biography”. Bio.com. A&E

Networks Television, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013 "Antonio Vivaldi Profile”. About.com Classical

Music. About.com, n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2013 "VIVALDI: "Four Seasons" Sonnets Texts in Italian

& English." VIVALDI: "Four Seasons" Sonnets Texts in Italian & English. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2013.

"Antonio Vivaldi." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 15 Sept. 2013.