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
