Antonio Vivaldi: Konzerte für mehrere Instrumente auf CD

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Apart from the widely popular “Four Seasons” the Italian violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) wrote no less than 465 concerts for various ensembles. In each of his opuses he remained one and the same self. To recognize his simple and obvious musical style three notes are sufficient to be heard, and the way he makes use of instruments goes from one composition to another as an endless concert in several parts. But this is not what tires the ear and makes the listening of music boring. On the contrary, in the interminable succession of parts that alternate in tempo it starts seeming that the unity of life is mirrored in this flow of sounds, as well as what modern life is lacking – the lightness of being. This is probably the reason why Vivaldi’s music is so popular today. As known from the composer’s biography, maestro Vivaldi was a very merry fellow, and in spite of his wearing the frock could in his early years go astray indulging in amusements. According to contemporaries, he could leave the church in the middle of a service for the only reason to put to paper a melody that came to his mind. His vivid personality (literally too – his was bright red and the nickname of “red Devil” took on), vitality and passion for music brought him to fame in no time. Vivaldi was famous not only as a composer, but also as a violin virtuoso and a cellist. He was recognized as a conductor of an orchestra and a “della Pieta” choir, as an competent instructor in one of the best musical schools for girls in Venice. He was also a notorious and daring city troublemaker. In the twilight of his life, though its greatest part was spent in Venice, he had to move to Vienna where he died alone, in poverty and oblivion.

He had long been remembered for a number of transcriptions great I. S. Bach made of his predecessor’s compositions. However the musicological studies of Vivaldi’s works showed him made him a great master whose best works do good to the listener. As late as in the ХХ century a complete set of Vivaldi’s instrumental opuses was published. His portfolio includes not only instrumental concerts, he also wrote operas (27), oratorios (3), secular cantatas (56), serenades for 1-4 voices, music for religious services (about 55 works), including Stabat Mater, motets, psalms, etc. His chamber instrumental compositions are numerous sonatas for a violin or two violins, for a cello or for a violin and a cello, many more. These duets are much favored, as to play together is an opportunity to keep company, to speak a different language – a language of strings and a bow. But whatever Vivaldi spoke of in his music, it will remain harmonious, easy to take in and full of vital force.