Vivaldi showed a predilection for using descriptive titles. Considering Vivaldi’s training, it should not be surprising that the vast majority of the solo concerti (220) were written for the violin. During his forty year tenure, he wrote over 450 concerti. Weekly concerts featured either the most outstanding students or Vivaldi himself performing concerti written for the occasion. Mark’s Cathedral as early as the age of ten.Īccording to reports by contemporary reviewers, the conservatory orchestra under Vivaldi’s direction maintained very high standards. Additionally, he had established a reputation as an outstanding violinist, having substituted for his father in the orchestra at St. Vivaldi’s interest in concerto writing was to a large degree brought about by his employment as the “conservatoire director” at the Ospedale della Piera, a home for orphaned and illegitimate girls which specialized in the teaching of music. He and Scarlatti were to be the last important Italian composers until Rossini and Verdi. Within the works of Vivaldi, we see a perfection of the 17th century Italian concerto and opera forms. Like Bach, his energy was primarily directed toward perfecting existing forms rather than creating new ones. Of the many composers who helped to bring the Italian Baroque style to its zenith at the beginning of the 18th century, Antonio Vivaldi stands out as perhaps the most creative. 8, RV 293, “L'autunno” (Autumn)Ĭoncerto No.

8, RV 315, “L'estate” (Summer)Ĭoncerto No. 8, RV 269, “La primavera” (Spring)Ĭoncerto No.

Vivaldi four seasons violin