Sonata No. 5 (Concerto) in E minor, RV 40 for cello and piano; Antonio Vivaldi

Sonata No. 5 (Concerto) in E minor, RV 40 for cello and piano by Antonio Vivaldi

Edited by Luigi Dallapiccola and Leonard Rose. Published by International

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was one of the greatest composers of the Baroque Era, as well as a virtuoso violinist and an ordained priest. He was based in Venice early in his career, writing many of his compositions for the all-female musicians of Ospedale della Pieta orphanage. He later worked in Mantua, where he wrote his famous Four Seasons concertos. He worked extensively in the nascent concerto form developed by Corelli, refining it into a leading instrumental form of the late Baroque, influencing Handel and Bach alike. His innovative developments in instrumental color and violin technique as well as the vivid immediacy of his writing have made his work immensely popular in his own time as well as with today's musicians.

Vivaldi wrote extensively for string instruments, including many sonatas with basso continuo. His surviving cello sonatas are all sonatas da camera (chamber sonatas) resembling short dance suites. In the last century, they have become popular as recital pieces in arrangements with piano accompaniment. This International edition of Sonata No. 5 in E minor, RV 40 is presented here in an arrangement for cello and piano. Intermediate level, Grade 3.