Antonio Vivaldi

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Antonio Vivaldi.


As a virtuoso violinist, as a teacher, as a priest and as a
prolific composer, Antonio Vivaldi was a key figure in Baroque
Italy and remains one of the most famous names in classical music
today. In this episode, Donald begins by exploring Vivaldi’s
intrinsic link with his birth city, Venice, through a series of
images. Next, he examines the depth of Vivaldi’s faith – as an
ordained priest who didn’t say mass, there have been many
questions asked about his piety. We’ll also hear about the
composer’s many female muses, his rapid fall from grace to
anonymity and the posthumous rediscovery of his music after a
long period in the musical wilderness.


Music featured: Violin Concerto in E flat major “La Tempesta di
Mare”, RV 253 Armida, RV 699 Violin Concerto in F minor
“L’inverno”, RV297 Judita Triumphans, RV644 Concerto for two
horns, RV 538 Laetatus sum (psalm 121), RV 607 Concerto in G
minor, Op 3 No 2, RV 578 Stabat Mater dolorosa, RV 621 Gloria, RV
589 Griselda, RV 718 Il Teuzzone RV 736 Dorilla In Tempe, RV 709
Concerto for Viola d’Amore in A minor, RV397 Orlando furioso, RV
728 Nulla in mundo pax sincera, RV 630 Atenaide, RV 702 Il
Farnace, RV 711 Concerto per S.A.S.I.S.P.G.M.D.G.S.M.B., RV 574
Violin Concerto in E major “la primavera”, RV 269 La Senna
Festeggiante, RV 693 Violin Concerto No 12 in B Minor “La Cetra”,
RV 391 Agrippo, RV697 Il Bajazet, RV 703 Nisi Dominus, RV 608
Salve Regina, RV 616 Bach: Concerto for Four Keyboards in A minor
(after Vivaldi), BWV 1065 L’Olimpiade, RV 725 Violin Concerto in
G Minor “L'estate", RV 315 Dixit Dominus, RV 594


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC
Wales


For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Antonio Vivaldi
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006zh2


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z