As I said, I love Christmas music. And while I love all forms of Christmas music (see yesterday's playlist), it is no coincidence that my favorite form of music--Baroque oratorio--features prominently in the genre. The first half of the 1700s were awash in Christmas music, likely ignited by Corelli's Christmas Concerto. Vivaldi followed suit with … Continue reading Christmas and the Baroque Oratorio
Tag: Vivaldi
Thanksgiving Treat: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Much like my wife's bacon stuffing at Thanksgiving, this list would not be complete without Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, easily the most famous work of the Baroque Era, despite first entering the modern repertoire in the 1950s. It is an endlessly fun piece to play. First, let’s start with a very historically accurate performance. By all … Continue reading Thanksgiving Treat: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Vivaldi and Bach
The Bach-Vivaldi Conversations are particularly interesting as they span a wide swathe of Bach’s career. First up, Bach’s transcription of Concerto No. 11 in D Minor for Organ. Antonio Vivaldi, Concerto Op. 3, No. 11 in D Minor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8UmlKEWIyY J.S. Bach, Organ Concerto in D Minor (After Vivaldi): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2upDLfG2Os This is more or less a straight transcription. It is thought … Continue reading Vivaldi and Bach
Baroque Music VII: Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Antonio Vivaldi is the first composer on this list whose name and music are likely familiar to everyone. That was not always the case. Despite his profound influence on Bach and many others, Vivaldi’s compositions fell out of a favor (his virtuosity as a violinist was his primary calling card, not his compositions) and were pretty … Continue reading Baroque Music VII: Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
A Gertus History of Music 