On March 4, 1678, Antonio Vivaldi was born, a composer without whose music not a single violinist learned. Among his many concerts there are some that students can do music schools– and others will do honor to recognized virtuosos. The creative legacy of Antonio Vivaldi is striking in its scale - he wrote 90 operas alone, but his other creations are much more famous - 49 works in the genre of concerto grosso, 100 sonatas, cantatas, oratorios, sacred works, and the number of concerts for one solo instrument with an orchestra - violin, flute, cello, bassoon, oboe - more than three hundred.

Antonio Vivaldi was a pioneer in many ways. He became one of the first who gave a “start in life” to the horn, bassoon and oboe, using these instruments as independent rather than backup instruments. Along with Arcangelo Corelli, he became the founder of the solo instrumental concert.

Not much is known about his childhood. His homeland is Venice, he was the eldest among the six children of a violinist who served in the Cathedral of St. Mark (who previously combined amateur music-making with the work of a barber) - and the only one of them who followed in his father’s footsteps as a musician (other sons inherited their father’s first profession). The boy appeared prematurely and weak - so much so that he was urgently baptized, fearing that he would not survive. Antonio survived, but his health was never strong. The symptoms of his illness were described as “tightness in the chest” - apparently, it was about asthma, and for this reason Vivaldi could not play wind instruments, but he perfectly mastered the violin and harpsichord.

At the age of fifteen, Antonio became a monk, but health problems did not allow him to live in the monastery. After ten years he takes holy orders. Contemporaries called the musician a “red-haired priest,” which was quite true - a combination musical career with spirituality was the norm in those days. Another thing that was considered reprehensible was the habit of the holy father leaving the church during services. The holy father himself explained this by his state of health - but it was clear to many that he was simply moving away in order to write down the melodies that came to mind. However, relations with the church leadership become increasingly tense, and ultimately Vivaldi, under the pretext of poor health, seeks exemption from the obligation to participate in divine services.

At twenty-five, the young priest and virtuoso violinist has other responsibilities - he becomes a “violin master” at the Pio Ospedale delia Pieta orphanage. He is in charge of purchasing instruments, ensures the safety of existing ones, and most importantly, teaches pupils to play the violin and viol. At the same time he creates a lot of music. Through the efforts of Vivaldi, services in the church at the orphanage turn into real concerts; residents of Venice come there to listen to wonderful music.

But Vivaldi's work is not limited to liturgical music. He creates many secular works: sonatas for violin and harpsichord, trio sonatas, collections of concerts “Extravagance” and “Harmonic Inspiration”. Vivaldi also performs as a virtuoso violinist. In this capacity he was so famous that his name was included in the “Guide to Venice.” There were many travelers who visited Venice, which allowed Vivaldi's fame to spread far beyond its borders. Concerts were especially popular. made organ and keyboard transcriptions of some of them.

But although today the name Vivaldi is associated with the instrumental concerto, his beginnings as a composer were associated with opera. His first creation in this genre was “Ottone at the Villa” - a typical opera seria: a plot from ancient Roman history, intricate intrigue, participation of castrati. The opera was a success, and others followed. However, in this area, Vivaldi was never able to achieve such success as, for example, Alessandro Scarlatti. He was much more successful in the concert genre. One of his most famous creations - “The Experience of Harmony and Invention” - appears in 1725. More precisely, the four concerts included in this collection, entitled “Spring”, “Summer”, “Autumn” and “Winter”, acquired particular fame - subsequently they began to be performed as a cycle under the title “Seasons,” although the author did not have such a name. These concerts became one of the first examples of a programmatic symphonic work.

In the 1730s. the composer travels a lot. This passion for travel was the reason for his dismissal from Pio Ospedale delia Pieta. The composer went on his last journey to Vienna in 1740, where he died.

During his life, Vivaldi experienced a lot: the threat of death in infancy - and long life, ups and downs, public delight - and the lonely old age of a forgotten person. But it is unlikely that his creations will ever be forgotten. The name of Antonio Vivaldi is immortalized even in space - one of the craters on Mercury is named in his honor.

Musical Seasons

The most prominent representative of Italian violin art XVIII century, the composer, conductor, teacher and violinist Antonio Vivaldi is considered, whose biography and work are still of interest to many professionals and amateurs. In Europe he received recognition during his lifetime.

The work of Antonio Vivaldi is most popular thanks to his instrumental concertos, especially violin concertos. But at the same time, he is considered an unsurpassed master in other genres, such as opera and concerto grosso.

Vivaldi's childhood

For a long time, the composer’s date of birth remained a mystery to biographers, but in the middle of the last century, thanks to found church records, it was established precisely. 1678 in Venice, the first child of Antonio Vivaldi in the family of the barber Giovanni. His biography is still full of secrets and contradictions. Due to frailty and the threat of death, the boy was baptized by a midwife on his birthday.

The child’s talent manifested itself early; already at the age of ten, Antonio replaced his father during periods of his absence in the cathedral chapel. The child’s first essay appeared at the age of thirteen. It was the boy’s parent who became his first teacher, and influenced his choice of career.

Early years

At fifteen and a half years old, he received the lower degree of priesthood, according to which he had the right to open the gates of the church. A few years later, Antonio earned the title of priest, as well as the right to serve mass. At this time he gained fame as a virtuoso violinist. But a year later he did not want to celebrate Mass due to physical illness, although some of his contemporaries claimed that he was pretending, using this time to write his musical compositions in the sacristy. It was for this behavior that he was excommunicated from the church, which caused a lot of gossip.

Venice "conservatory"

In 1703, Antonio Vivaldi (whose short biography as a priest ended here) was invited to one of the best Venetian conservatories. This was the beginning of the pedagogical and young man.

Finding himself in the midst of brilliant musical traditions, he wrote a large number of works of secular and spiritual instrumental music, taught music theory, rehearsed with the orchestra, studied with choristers, and conducted concerts. Due to Antonio's multifaceted and fruitful activities, his conservatory became noticeable among others.

The beginning of a composer's journey

In the first years of work, Antonio Vivaldi, whose biography and work were full of compositions large quantity instrumental pieces, appeared before a wide public and the musical community as the author of trio sonatas. A little later, the publishing house published 12 more large-form works under one opus. The next one contained the same number of sonatas for violin and harp.

At 33, Vivaldi gains fame far beyond hometown. At this time, he has a solid salary and becomes the main leader of the pupils’ concert. Danish nobles and even the king listen to his works.

Far beyond the borders of the country, his works are beginning to be performed and published. For the first time in Holland, his opus of twelve concerts for 1, 2 and 4 violins with accompaniment is being published. The most executable are best works of this opus.

The music of Antonio Vivaldi amazes his contemporaries with its novelty, brightness of sensations and images. His biography during this period becomes richer, and creative activity- more successful.

Opera creativity

Already at the age of 35 he is the main composer of Pieta. This obliges Vivaldi to regularly compose music for students. At the same time, he decides to turn to an unknown genre for himself - opera. More for many years it will be the most significant area of ​​his activity.

In order to stage his first opera, “The Diversion at the Villa,” in Vincenza, Antonio takes a month’s leave. The production became a success and attracted the attention of the impresarios of Venice. Starting next year, for five years a whole series premieres, which firmly cemented his fame as an opera composer.

From this moment on, Antonio Vivaldi, whose biography is entering a new creative stage, strives to win the recognition of the widest masses of listeners.

Despite offers from other places, which were very tempting, as well as stunning success in the operatic field, after long holidays he still remained faithful and returned to the Venetian “conservatory”.

Theater creativity

The first two oratorios on Latin texts appear at the same time, when he became passionately interested in the theater. "Judith Triumphant" became one of Vivaldi's best creations.

The students of that time consider it an honor to study with him, but neither they nor the large amount of composing work can distract Antonio from active work in the theater, where he fulfills the order for twelve main arias for the opera “Nero Made Caesar.”

The opera “The Coronation of Darius” was also created for the same theater. In just five years, the composer's fame is growing rapidly and extends beyond the borders of his country far into Europe.

After the first years of an opera tour associated with Venice, composer Antonio Vivaldi decides to change the situation and enters a three-year service with Margrave Phillip von Hesse-Darmstadt, who led the troops of the Austrian Emperor in Mantua.

Service with the Margrave

This period is very significant for Vivaldi: it is he who influences his entire later life. He meets the daughter of a French barber and opera singer Anna Giraud, whom Antonio introduces to everyone as his student. Her sister took care of the composer’s health and became his constant companion.

There were constant complaints from the church for such inappropriate relationships for a clergyman, because the sisters lived in the composer’s house and accompanied him on tour. Subsequently, these relationships will lead to very unfavorable results for the music creator.

At the end of his service, he returned to Venice, but his travels to European capitals continue. Despite the brilliant premieres of the composed operas, contemporaries consider the program concerts, especially “The Seasons,” to be the most striking works.

Last period of life

Antonio Vivaldi's performance (you see his photo in our article) was amazing: it has not become lower, despite His operas being performed on many European stages and having overwhelming success. But at the age of 59 he was overtaken by a terrible blow of fate. The Apostolic Nuncio in Venice, on behalf of Cardinal Ruffo, prohibited the composer from entering one of the Papal States (Ferrara) in the midst of preparations for the carnival.

At that time, this was an unheard of disgrace and entailed complete discredit of both Vivaldi, the clergyman, and material damage. Relations in the Pieta began to deteriorate, and Antonio's music began to be considered outdated due to the emergence of a large number of young creators at that time. He had to leave.

In the "conservatory" he is mentioned in last time due to the sale at an extremely low price of a large number of it music concerts. After this, the creator leaves his homeland forever.

He died of internal inflammation in Vienna at the age of 63, abandoned and forgotten by everyone.

IN IVALDI Antonio (1678-1741), Italian composer, virtuoso violinist. The creator of the genre of solo instrumental concert and, along with A. Corelli, concerto grosso. His cycle “The Seasons” (1725) is one of the earliest examples of programming in music. Over 40 operas, oratorios, cantatas; instrumental concerts various compositions(465), etc.

He studied violin with his father Giovanni Battista Vivaldi, violinist at St. Brand; perhaps composition - with Giovanni Legrenzi, and may also have studied with Arcangelo Corelli in Rome.

September 18, 1693 Vivaldi was tonsured as a monk. On September 18, 1700 he was elevated to the rank of deacon. On March 23, 1703, Vivaldi was ordained to the priesthood. The next day he celebrated his first independent mass in the Church of San Giovanni in Oleo. Because of his hair color, which was unusual for Venetians, he was nicknamed the red priest. On September 1, 1703, he was admitted to the Pietà shelter as a violin maestro. Order from Countess Lucrezia Trevisan to serve 90 votive matins in the Church of San Giovanni in Oleo. On August 17, 1704 he received additional compensation for teaching the viola d’amore. Having served half of the votive matins, Vivaldi refuses for health reasons the order of Lucrezia Trevisan. 1706 first public performance in the palace of the French embassy. An edition of the “Guide to Venice” prepared by the cartographer Coronelli, which mentions the father and son Vivaldi as violin virtuosos. Moving from Piazza Bragora to a new, larger house in the neighboring parish of San Provolo.

In 1723 the first trip to Rome. 1724 - second trip to Rome for the premiere of the opera Giustino. Audience with Pope Benedict XIII. 1711 publication of 12 concertos “L’estro armonico” (“Harmonic Inspiration”) Op. 3.1725 op. published in Amsterdam. VIII "Il Cimento dell'Armonia e dell'Invenzione. In this cycle "The Art of Harmony and Invention" or ("The Controversy of Harmony with Invention"), Op. 8 (ca. 1720), which even then made an indelible impression on listeners with its frantic passion and innovation, now included four world-famous concerts “The Four Seasons.” Jean Jacques Rousseau, who worked at the French embassy in Venice at that time, highly appreciated Vivaldi’s music and loved to perform some of this cycle himself on his favorite flute. Vivaldi’s concerts are also widely known. — “La notte” (night), “Il cardellino” (the goldfinch), for flute and orchestra, concerto for two mandolins RV532, distinguished by the artistic expression and harmonic generosity characteristic of his works, as well as spiritual works: “Gloria”, “Magnificat” ", "Stabat Mater", "Dixit Dominus".

From 1703 to 1725 he was a teacher, then an orchestra conductor and director of concerts, and from 1713 he was the director of the orchestra and choir at the della Pieta in Venice, an orphanage, which was famous as one of the best music schools for girls. In 1735 he again briefly served as bandmaster.

Vivaldi is the largest representative of Italian violin art of the 18th century, who approved a new dramatized, so-called “Lombard” style of performance. He created the genre of solo instrumental concert and influenced the development of virtuoso violin technique. Master of the ensemble-orchestral concert - concerto grosso. Vivaldi set for the concerto grosso a 3-part cyclic form, highlighted the virtuoso part of the soloist.

During his lifetime, he became known as a composer capable of creating a three-act opera in five days and composing many variations on one theme. He became famous throughout Europe as a virtuoso violinist. Although favored by Vivaldi, Goldoni, after the death of the red-haired priest, spoke of him in his memoirs as a rather mediocre composer. For a long time, Vivaldi was remembered only because J. S. Bach made a number of transcriptions of his predecessor’s works, and only in the 20th century was the publication of the complete collection of Vivaldi’s instrumental opuses undertaken. Vivaldi's instrumental concerts were a stage on the path to the formation of a classical symphony. The Vivaldi Italian Institute was created in Siena (headed by F. Malipiero).

In mid-May 1740, the musician finally left Venice. He arrived in Vienna at an unfortunate time, as Emperor Charles VI had just died and the War of the Austrian Succession had begun. Vienna had no time for Vivaldi. Forgotten by everyone, sick and without means of support, he died in Vienna on July 28, 1741. The quarterly doctor recorded the death of “the Reverend Don Antonio Vivaldi from internal inflammation.” He was buried in the cemetery for the poor for a modest fee of 19 florins 45 kreuzers. A month later, sisters Margherita and Zanetta received news of Antonio's death. On August 26, the bailiff seized his property to pay off his debts.

Contemporaries often criticized him for his excessive passion for the opera stage and his haste and illegibility. It is curious that after the production of his opera “Furious Roland”, his friends called Vivaldi, none other than Dirus (lat. Furious). The composer's opera heritage (approximately 90 operas) has not yet become the property of the world. opera stage. It wasn't until the 1990s that Roland Furious was successfully staged in San Francisco.

Vivaldi's work had a huge influence not only on his contemporaries Italian composers, but also on musicians of other nationalities, primarily German. Here it is especially interesting to trace the influence of Vivaldi’s music on J. S. Bach, the greatest German composer 1st half of the XVIII century. In the first biography of Bach, published in 1802, its author, Johann Nikolaus Forkel, singled out the name of Vivaldi among the masters who became the subject of study for the young Johann Sebastian. The strengthening of the instrumental-virtuoso character of Bach's thematicism during the Köthen period of his work (1717-1723) is directly related to the study of Vivaldi's music. But its influence was manifested not only in the assimilation and processing of individual expressive techniques - it was much broader and deeper. Bach adopted Vivaldi's style so organically that it became his own musical language. The inner intimacy with Vivaldi's music is palpable in the most various works Bach up to his famous “High” Mass in B minor. The influence that Vivaldi's music had on the German composer was undoubtedly enormous. According to A. Casella, “Bach is his greatest admirer and probably the only one who at that time was able to understand the greatness of the genius of this musician.”

Essays
More than 40 operas, including “Roland the Imaginary Madman” (Orlando fiato pozzo, 1714, Teatro Sant’Angelo, Venice), “Nero who became Caesar” (Nerone fatto Cesare, 1715, ibid.), “The Coronation of Darius "(L'incoronazione di Daria, 1716, ibid.), "Deception Triumphant in Love" (L'inganno trionfante in amore, 1725, ibid.), "Farnace" (1727, ibid., later also called "Farnace" , ruler of Pontus"), "Cunegonde" (1727, ibid.), "Olympiad" (1734, ibid.), "Griselda" (1735, San Samuele Theater, Venice), "Aristide" (1735, ibid. ), “Oracle in Messenia” (1738, Teatro Sant’Angelo, Venice), “Theraspes” (1739, ibid.); oratorios - “Moses, God of Pharaoh” (Moyses Deus Pharaonis, 1714), “Triumphants Judith” (Juditha Triumphans devicta Holofernis barbarie, 1716), “Adoration of the Magi” (L'Adorazione delli tre Re Magi, 1722), etc. ;
Author of more than 500 concerts, including:
44 concerts for string orchestra and basso continuo;
49 concherti grossi;
352 concertos for one instrument with string orchestra and/or basso continuo accompaniment (253 for violin, 26 for cello, 6 for viol d'amore, 13 for transverse, 3 for longitudinal flutes, 12 for oboe, 38 for bassoon, 1 for mandolin );
38 concertos for 2 instruments with string orchestra and/or basso continuo accompaniment (25 for violin, 2 for cello, 3 for violin and cello, 2 for horns, 1 for mandolins);
32 concertos for 3 or more instruments with string orchestra and/or basso continuo accompaniment.

One of the most famous works— a cycle of 4 violin concerts “The Seasons” — an early example of program symphonic music. Vivaldi's contribution to the development of instrumentation was significant (he was the first to use oboes, horns, bassoons and other instruments as independent, rather than duplicating ones).

One of largest representatives Baroque era A. Vivaldi went down in history musical culture as the creator of the instrumental concert genre, the founder of orchestral program music. Vivaldi's childhood is connected with Venice, where his father worked as a violinist in St. Mark's Cathedral. The family had 6 children, of whom Antonio was the eldest. Almost no details have been preserved about the composer’s childhood. It is only known that he studied the violin and harpsichord. On September 18, 1693, Vivaldi was tonsured a monk, and on March 23, 1703, he was ordained. At the same time, the young man continued to live at home (presumably due to a serious illness), which gave him the opportunity not to leave music lessons. Vivaldi was nicknamed the “red monk” for his hair color. It is believed that already in these years he was not too zealous about his duties as a clergyman. Many sources retell a story (possibly apocryphal, but revealing) of how one day during a service the “red-haired monk” hurriedly left the altar to write down a fugue theme that suddenly occurred to him. In any case, Vivaldi's relations with clerical circles continued to strain, and soon he, citing his poor health, publicly refused to celebrate Mass.

In September 1703, Vivaldi began working as a teacher (maestro di violino) at the Venetian charity orphanage "Pio Ospedale delia Pieta". His responsibilities included teaching the violin and viola d'amour, as well as monitoring the safety of string instruments and buying new violins. The "services" in the "Pieta" (they can rightfully be called concerts) were the center of attention of the enlightened Venetian public. For reasons of economy, Vivaldi was fired in 1709, but in 1711-16. reinstated in the same position, and from May 1716 he was already the concertmaster of the Pieta orchestra. Even before his new appointment, Vivaldi had established himself not only as a teacher, but also as a composer (mainly the author of sacred music). In parallel with his work at Pieta, Vivaldi was looking for opportunities to publish his secular works. 12 trio sonatas op. 1 were published in 1706; in 1711 the most famous collection of violin concertos “Harmonic Inspiration” op. 3; in 1714 - another collection called "Extravagance" op. 4. Vivaldi’s violin concertos very soon became widely known in Western Europe and especially in Germany. I. Quantz, I. Matteson, and the Great J. S. Bach, “for pleasure and instruction,” personally arranged 9 Vivaldi violin concertos for clavier and organ, showed great interest in them. During these same years, Vivaldi wrote his first operas “Ottone” (1713), “Orlando” (1714), “Nero” (1715). In 1718-20 he lives in Mantua, where he mainly writes operas for the carnival season, as well as instrumental works for the Mantuan ducal court. In 1725, one of the composer’s most famous opuses was published, bearing the subtitle “An Experience in Harmony and Invention” (op. 8). Like the previous ones, the collection is composed of violin concertos (there are 12 of them). The first 4 concerts of this opus are named by the composer, respectively, “Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter”. In modern performing practice, they are often combined into the cycle “Seasons” (there is no such title in the original). Apparently, Vivaldi was not satisfied with the income from the publication of his concerts, and in 1733 he announced to a certain English traveler E. Holdsworth his intention to refuse further publications, since, unlike printed copies, handwritten copies were more expensive. In fact, since then, no new original works by Vivaldi have appeared.

Late 20's - 30's. often called “years of travel” (previously to Vienna and Prague). In August 1735, Vivaldi returned to the post of conductor of the Pieta orchestra, but the management committee did not like his subordinate’s passion for travel, and in 1738 the composer was fired. At the same time, Vivaldi continued to work hard in the opera genre (one of his librettists was the famous C. Goldoni), while he preferred to personally participate in the production. However, Vivaldi's opera performances special success did not have, especially after the composer was deprived of the opportunity to act as director of his operas at the Ferrara theater due to the cardinal’s ban on entering the city (the composer was accused of having a love affair with Anna Giraud, his former student, and the refusal of the “red monk” to serve mass ). As a result, the opera premiere in Ferrara was a failure.

In 1740, shortly before his death, Vivaldi went to his last trip to Vienna. The reasons for his sudden departure are unclear. He died in the house of the widow of a Viennese saddler named Waller and was buried in poverty. Soon after death name outstanding master was forgotten. Almost 200 years later, in the 20s. XX century Italian musicologist A. Gentili discovered a unique collection of the composer’s manuscripts (300 concertos, 19 operas, sacred and secular vocal works). From this time on, a true revival of Vivaldi's former glory begins. The music publishing house "Ricordi" began publishing in 1947 full meeting works of the composer, and the Philips company has recently begun to implement an equally grandiose plan - the publication of “everything” Vivaldi in recordings. In our country, Vivaldi is one of the most frequently performed and most beloved composers. Vivaldi's creative legacy is great. According to the authoritative thematic-systematic catalog by Peter Riom (international designation - RV), it covers more than 700 titles. The main place in Vivaldi's work was occupied by instrumental concert(total saved approx. 500). The composer's favorite instrument was the violin (about 230 concerts). In addition, he wrote concerts for two, three and four violins with orchestra and basso continue, concertos for viola d'amour, cello, mandolin, longitudinal and transverse flutes, oboe, bassoon. More than 60 concerts for string orchestra and basso continue are known. sonatas for various instruments. Of more than 40 operas (the authorship of Vivaldi has been accurately established), only half of them have survived. Less popular (but no less interesting) are his numerous vocal works - cantatas, oratorios, works on spiritual texts (psalms). , litanies, "Gloria", etc.).

Many of Vivaldi's instrumental works have programmatic subtitles. Some of them refer to the first performer (Carbonelli concerto, RV 366), others to the festival during which this or that composition was performed for the first time (For the Feast of St. Lorenzo, RV 286). A number of subheadings indicate some unusual detail of performing technique (in the concert entitled "L"ottavina", RV 763, all solo violins must be played in the upper octave). The most typical headings characterize the prevailing mood - "Rest, Anxiety, Suspicion" or "Harmonic Inspiration, Zither" (the last two are the names of collections of violin concertos). Moreover, even in those works whose titles seem to indicate external pictorial moments ("Storm at Sea, Goldfinch, Hunting" etc. . etc.), the main thing for the composer is always the transfer of the general lyrical mood. The score of “The Four Seasons” is provided with a relatively detailed program. Already during his lifetime, Vivaldi became famous as an outstanding connoisseur of the orchestra, the inventor of many coloristic effects, and he did a lot for the development of violin playing technique.