The Sacred Vocal Music Of Antonio Vivaldi

Author : Michael Match
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 99 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (913 download)

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Download or read book The Red Priest and His Sacred Music written by Michael Match and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 99 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While the Nisi Dominus: Salmo 126 per contralto, due violini, viola, e basso, RV 608 is but one example of Vivaldi's contribution to many genres of music, vocal and instrumental, sacred and secular, it proves an excellent vehicle to study every aspect of the composer's life, environment and influences-- a window into the world of 18th-century Venice and all that shaped the man and his music. Searching for the origins and history of Vivaldi's manuscripts illustrates what a complete rebirth the composer has enjoyed in just the last century. Rescued from near oblivion, scholars and audiences alike are now coming to know the massive scope of his oeuvre and the multitude of genres to which he contributed. Although a sacred vocal work, Nisi Dominus identifies many traits and customs of Vivaldi's compositional techniques which transcend that singular genre and point to his characteristics of instrumental and operatic writing as well. Many of these techniques are represented in the movement-by-movement discussions as well as the section on the performer's perspective. Although addressed specifically towards examples in Nisi Dominus, the general themes and topics find application across much of the music of the baroque, again signifying Vivaldi's prominent place in that era of music. Furthermore, by examining the beguiling society of the glorious Republic of Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries, one is able to see what a profound influence religion and the peculiarities of Venetian culture had on the music of the era. These are the circumstances and environments which shaped Vivaldi as a priest, a man, and a composer. The significance of the institution for which he worked and composed is also revealed: these ospedali grandi not only shaped the music of the city of Venice and guided what compositions Vivaldi was required to produce, but also became part of the antecedents of the music conservatory system. Unique to this paper is the study of Vivaldi's Nisi Dominus score from a vocal performer's perspective. The peculiarities of learning/preparing this piece for performance, as well as application to the overall dimension of baroque music are examined through discussions on text-painting, learning tools and techniques, and opportunities for expression of style. The score commentary sections are also geared towards the vocalist's overall conception and history of the composer and the work. To consider all these aspects together provides the student of this score with a complete picture of context, form, history, culture, and technique across a broad spectrum of Vivaldi's works. In this way, Nisi Dominus proves itself to be an excellent window into the life of the brilliant baroque composer, many of his compositional techniques and devices, the curious and enchanting society of La Serenissima and its rich musical heritage, forms and history of western liturgy, and the refreshing and exciting challenges of bringing all of this to life in the performance of Antonio Vivaldi's music.