Antonio Vivaldi

For many people their first introduction to classical music is through the evergreen Four Seasons of Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741). Stravinsky accused Vivaldi of writing the same concerto 300 times although as we now know, through wider exposure to his work and with the rediscovery of his choral and operatic compositions, Vivaldi was a much more varied composer.

Vivaldi is forever associated with Venice, where he was born and where he became the Master of Violin at the Ospedale della Pieta orphanage in 1703. Vivaldi's duties there explain the preponderance of instrumental works and it was these that assured his international fame. Vivaldi also spent successful periods working in Milan and Rome. Despite his success, Vivaldi ended his life as a pauper, his music out of fashion, dying in Vienna after an unsuccessful attempt to gain a court position. Posterity has restored Vivaldi to his rightful place.

Key Works: La cetra, Il Cimento dell`armonia e dell'inventione (The Trial between Harmony and Invention) (inc. The Four Seasons), Mandolin (Guitar) Concertos, Juditha Triumphans, Stabat Mater

Key Artists: Giuliano Carmignola, Christopher Hogwood, Heinz Holliger, Nigel Kennedy, Simone Kermes, Emma Kirkby, Andrea Marcon, Neville Marriner, I Musici, Andreas Scholl

Influenced by: Legrenzi, Monteverdi, Torelli
Influenced: J.S. Bach, Locatelli, Respighi