Vivaldi's Concerto for 4 Violins

I have chosen a musical concerto by Antonio Vivaldi. The name of the concerto is Concerto in B minor "Op. 3 No. 10 - RV 580", commonly known as Vivaldi’s Concerto for 4 Violins. This composition was composed in 1711, which puts it near the end of the Baroque period, and was contained in a collection of concerti called Harmonic Inspiration.

Some of the most interesting things about this piece are that it jumps into a grand and boastful opening. It almost catches you by surprise.  The piece is an emotional conversation expressed through tempo and intensity of the melody that moves between each violinist in rounds. The first section of the piece is a lively and happy one. At times it seems almost whimsical, while at other times it sounds argumentative. Once the first movement is over, the mood turns somber in the second movement. This change is dramatic. Each solo segment of the second movement is brief and reflects a feeling of despair at times. The movement later resolves itself by changing back to a happy tone quality. In the third movement, the piece moves back to the style of rounds, which sounds hopeful, but later expresses an almost battle-like interaction between the violins. The piece ends by a recapitulation of the first movement while slowing down to the end of the piece, reflecting a final resolution of the conversation.

This piece reflects the Baroque style and happenings in the time, not only by contrasting moods between the movements, but by presenting the melodies in a way that tells conflict between absolutism and constitutionalism. The piece sounds like it starts with a conversation between the peasants and the Aristocratic Nobles that reflects the content position that the monarchy has. The violins talk to each other in very similar variations of a theme as if to give a superficial discussion about their subjects’ needs. The second movement depicts the sadness of the dissatisfied people under the monarchy of the time. The third movement begins with a hopeful sound representing a louder voice of the people battling against the monarchy towards constitutionalism. The third movement climaxes with a rebellious sound of battle and concludes with a feeling of resolution and victory for constitutionalism. My view is supported by the fact that Vivaldi was composing in Italy during the period in which the various monarchies were battling for control of his country.

-Submitted by Cameron Wirtz