Concerto in D minor, RV 565 (Op.3/11) for two violins and piano by Antonio Vivaldi
Edited by Ivan Galamian. 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.
In 1711, the path of European music changed forever with the publication of Vivaldi's "L'estro armonico" (The Harmonic Inspiration), Op.3, his first published collection of concertos. His canny choice to publish them abroad meant that his innovative work would influence countless other composers across Europe, including J.S. Bach. The eleventh concerto from the bunch, his Concerto for Two Violins and Cello in D minor, RV 565, is a quintessential Vivaldi concerto, with soloistic fireworks, unbridled energy, and idiomatic string writing. Its distinct slow movement "Siciliano", after the traditional Italian dance, is a particular highlight. It is arranged here for two violins and piano. Intermediate-advanced level, Grade 4.
