Antonio Vivaldi

From Wind Repertory Project
Antonio Vivaldi

Biography

Antonio Vivaldi (4 March 1678, Venice Italy - 26 July 1741m Venice) was an Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist, teacher and cleric.

Vivaldi received his early training from his father, a violinist, and he completed his musical studies with Giovanni Legrenzi, the director of music at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. His knowledge of instruments as shown in his orchestral compositions was considered one of the best of his day, and he was an excellent violinist.

From 1704 to 1740 the conservatory at the Ospedale della Pieta afforded Vivaldi a marvelous field for musical experiment, and like many teachers he may have learned much from his own pupils. This institution, one of the four famous Venetian music schools for girls, played an important part in the musical life of 18th-century Venice. During his stay at the conservatory, recurrent asthma attacks forced him to take long leaves of absence, but he also traveled to many European cities to perform or to produce his operas when his health permitted. Vivaldi has been considered a composer for his own instrument, the violin; his original publications are indeed primarily for that instrument (with the exception of six concertos for flute), but his unpublished manuscripts comprise many instrumental works other than for strings and numerous important vocal works. Many of his works for clavier and organ were transcribed by J. S. Bach.

Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe. He is known mainly for composing many instrumental concertos, for the violin and a variety of other instruments, as well as sacred choral works and more than forty operas. His best-known work is a series of violin concertos known as The Four Seasons.


Works for Winds


Resources

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