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