CONCERTO IN D MINOR,

OP. 3 NO. 11

Composer: Antonio Vivaldi Date: 1711

WIDER LISTENING PIECES

BACH- HANDEL- TARTINI-

CONCERTO FOR TWO VIOLINS CONCERTI GROSSI, OP. 6 VIOLIN SONATA IN G MINOR

2 solo violinists interweave with the While Vivaldi was characterised by his concertos Venetian Baroque composer and violinist.
accompaniment. Alternating sections between for solo instruments displaying technical skill, A work in 4 movements for solo violin and figured bass
the solos and tutti sections. (A common feature Handel wrote for multiple soloists, relying more accompaniment.
of Baroque ritornello concerto form.) on the overall effect. Melodies are often long and Known as the 'Devil's trill' sonata, features virtuosic solo
Fugal writing with imitative phrases creating a complex but solo parts less decorated. violin writing including double stop trills.
contrapuntal texture.  No. 6: allegro section similar to Vivaldi in ritornello The first movement in 12/8 is a 'siciliana'.
2nd movement features siciliana rhythm in 12/8 passages alternating with virtuoso violin solo.  The final movement includes a slow chromatic theme.

CORELLI- VIVALDI-
CONCERTO OP.6 NO.1 THE FOUR SEASONS
Concerto grosso in the Baroque period: Group of soloists: (concertino) 2 Vivaldi had started writing more demanding music for soloists than was typical
violins and 1 cello and accompanying instruments: (ripieno) 1st and 2nd in the concerto grosso style of composers before him. 
violins, viola, cello and violone, plus the continuo.  Spring, first movement: passages for two solo violins, as well as virtuosic
Functional harmony with perfect and imperfect cadences.  moments from the first violin.  
Chains of suspensions and Circle of 5ths.  Winter: Contrast between virtuosic solo violin passages and tutti passages.
As is typical of the Baroque era, in the 2nd section the diminished 7th Circle of 5ths with descending melodic sequence, continuous semiquaver
chord is used.  patterns, perpetual movement: these are all characteristic of Vivaldi.