Concerto in G Major, RV 310 (Op.3/3) for violin and piano by Antonio Vivaldi
Edited by Kurt Sassmanshaus. 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 sixth concerto in the collection, his Violin Concerto in A minor, RV 356 is an excellent, beautiful work with exciting energy. Its modest technical demands make it an ideal student piece and is a perfect way to introduce shifting between first, second, and third positions. Presented in a high-quality Barenreiter edition. Intermediate level, Grade 3.
