LARGO from VIVALDI’S CONCERTO for LUTE
The next arrangement highlights the instrument roles of melody and accompaniment.
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was the most famous Italian Baroque period composer of his time. Vivaldi was an exceptional violin virtuoso, who was initially taught by his father who was a barber by profession. When Antonio was middle school age, they often performed together touring Venice, Italy trying to provide for their impoverished family.
At age 15, Vivaldi began his studies to become a Priest, which afforded him the opportunity to gain an education. Antonio Vivaldi was nicknamed “Il Prete Rosso,” which means the Red Priest, since he had red hair.
Vivaldi worked for most of his lifetime as the master violin teacher at an orphanage in Venice. He directed an entire female orchestra, which was innovative for the time and composed 100’s of pieces, written for students and professional musicians. The majority of his compositions featured the violin, written in the form of a Concerto.
A Concerto is a piece that features a solo instrument or group of soloists, with an orchestral accompaniment. Vivaldi wrote almost 500 Concerti and over 200 featured the violin. Some of his most famous pieces are written for virtuoso violin and orchestra called “The Four Seasons.”
The music for the next arrangement originally featured the LUTE.
Arrangement Details
- KEY: D Major (D E F# G A B C# D)
- METER: 4 – 4 (Common-Time)
- SCORING: Soli Violin Pizzicato (Lute-style) with orchestra
- TEMPO: Largo (conducted in 8, subdividing the beat)
Remember, SOLI is the main part and Sotto Voce is the background.
Imagine yourself in picturesque Italy and enjoy the Largo from Vivaldi’s Chamber Concerto arranged for you, by Q.
