Antonio Vivaldi’s operatic opportunities in Venice were rapidly drying up in 1739. As the famous letter from Charles de Brosse relates, “Vivaldi is an old man with a mania for composing. I have heard him boast of composing a concerto

The city of Venice underwent a fundamental transformation towards the end of the 17th century. For centuries Venice had wielded considerable economic powers based on the manufacturing of textiles and from trade with Europe and Asia. Gradually, however, culture became

We are so familiar with a work such as Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto from The Four Seasons. As a violin concerto, it provides the violin with the opportunity to show off the player’s virtuoso skills. We’ve heard it and, dare I

Although Spring may be the concerto that most people are familiar with, it’s Autumn and its return to a major key that seems to be central to The Four Seasons. The fear and frights of Summer disappear with the appearance

We think of Vivaldi’s set of four violin concertos known as The Four Seasons as one of the warhorses of the classical world. They’re everywhere, used in advertising and in movies, often even used to advertise classical radio stations. However,

Vivaldi and Bach never met! While the Italian master led the life of an international jetsetter, racing from one lucrative appointment to the next, Bach never strayed far away from home. Although Vivaldi came in contact with a variety of

Concerto per “Violino in Tromba” in G Major, RV 313: I. [Allegro] From Vivaldi: Il teatro alla moda (2015) Released by Harmonia Mundi Vivaldi: Concerto per “Violino in Tromba” in G Major, RV 313: I. [Allegro]1720: in his famous pamphlet

Concerto ‘La pastorella’ in D major per flauto, oboe, violino, fagotto e basso continuo, RV 95: I. Allegro From Vivaldi: Concerti per Flauto-recorder Concertos (2014) Released by Harmonia Mundi Vivaldi: Concerto ‘La pastorella’ in D major per flauto, oboe, violino,