Lute concerto in D major (Vivaldi)
The Lute Concerto in D major, RV 93, is one of four works featuring the solo lute, 2 violins, and basso continuo written by Antonio Vivaldi. Vivaldi wrote the piece in the 1730s, a period in which he wrote two of his other works featuring the lute: the trios for violin and lute in G minor and C major.[1]
Analysis[edit]
The concerto is in three movements:[1]
- I. Allegro giusto
- II. Largo
- III. Allegro
The first movement is in a fast tempo and begins with a ritornello played by the violins and then repeated by the solo lute.[1][2] According to AllMusic critic Brian Robins, the ritornello "contrasts a tuneful opening theme with a more lyrical motif in the minor mode."[1] During the movement, the solo lute plays melodies in contrast to the ritornello.[2] The movement consists of several sections, almost all of which incorporate a portion of the ritornello melody.[2]
The second movement also consists of several sections.[2] Robins describes this movement as a "reflective meditation by the soloist" against accompaniment by the violins and pizzicato bass.[1] Robins praises the movement's "exquisitely simple shift from triple to duple meter."[1] The third and final movement is another fast movement in a 6/8 time signature which Robins describes as having "a bit of tarantella-like feel."[1] The soloist also has the option of playing the half notes in the movement using a more vigorous 12/8 time signature.[3]
Performance[edit]
The concerto uses the lute primarily in a high register.[4] The lute parts are written primarily as chords, and the lute player is intended to play arpeggios based on these chords.[4] The piece also includes important parts for the violins.[4]
Today, Ben Salfield is one of the few lutenists to perform the concerto regularly in European concerts.[citation needed]
The concerto is usually played on guitar.[3][4] Yes guitarist Steve Howe performed the second movement on guitar on the band's 2002 live album Symphonic Live, into which he incorporated a number of improvisations.[5]
It has also been performed on guitar by more classical soloists, such as John Williams.[1] The piece is also sometimes played on mandolin.[3] The concerto is played on the Ontario Parliament Network and is performed by Canadian guitarists Liona Boyd and Norbert Kraft. It has become the channel's classical staple.
Legacy[edit]
In 2014, Vivaldi's lute concerto ranked #78 on the ABC Classic FM Classic 100 Baroque and Before countdown.[6] In 2007 it had ranked #75 on the station's Classic 100 concerto countdown.
The autograph manuscript of Vivaldi's lute concerto is currently at the Turin National University Library in Turin, Italy.[1]
The 2nd movement, Largo, was incorporated into Georges Delerue's Oscar-winning score for the 1979 film A Little Romance and played (on guitar) in the 1972 Western The Cowboys.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Robins, Brian. Lute (Chamber) Concerto Grosso, for lute (or guitar), 2 violins & continuo in D major, RV 93 at AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ a b c d Hiscock, C. & Metcalfe, M. (1999). New Music Matters 11–14 Volume 2. Heinemann. pp. 55–62. ISBN 9780435810917.
- ^ a b c Lemma, M. (2012). Vivaldi Concertos for Mandolin. Mel Bay Publications. p. 4. ISBN 9781619110410.
- ^ a b c d Kolneder, W. (1970). Antonio Vivaldi: His Life and Work. University of California Press. p. 142. ISBN 0520016297.
- ^ Rivadavia, E.. Symphonic Live at AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ "Classic 100: Baroque and Before". ABC Classic FM. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
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