Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741), nicknamed il
Prete Rosso ("The Red Priest") because of his red hair,
was an Italian Baroque composer, Catholic priest, and
virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Recognized as one
of the greatest Baroque composers, his influence during
his lifetime was widespread over Europe. Vivaldi is
known mainly for composing instrumental concertos,
especially for the violin, as well as sacred choral
works and over forty operas. His best known work is a
series of violin co...(+)
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741), nicknamed il
Prete Rosso ("The Red Priest") because of his red hair,
was an Italian Baroque composer, Catholic priest, and
virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Recognized as one
of the greatest Baroque composers, his influence during
his lifetime was widespread over Europe. Vivaldi is
known mainly for composing instrumental concertos,
especially for the violin, as well as sacred choral
works and over forty operas. His best known work is a
series of violin concertos known as The Four
Seasons.
Many of his compositions were written for the female
music ensemble of the Ospedale della Pietà, a home for
abandoned children where Vivaldi had been employed from
1703 to 1715 and from 1723 to 1740. Vivaldi also had
some success with stagings of his operas in Venice,
Mantua and Vienna. After meeting the Emperor Charles
VI, Vivaldi moved to Vienna, hoping for preferment. The
Emperor died soon after Vivaldi's arrival.
Though Vivaldi's music was well received during his
lifetime, it later declined in popularity until its
vigorous revival in the first half of the 20th century.
Today, Vivaldi ranks among the most popular and widely
recorded of Baroque composers.
"Nulla in mundo, pax sincera" (RV 630) is a sacred
motet composed by Antonio Vivaldi to an anonymous Latin
text, the title of which may be translated as "In this
world there is no honest peace" or "There is no true
peace in this world without bitterness". Written in the
key of E major and in the typical lyrical Italian
Baroque style, it is scored for solo soprano, two
violins, viola and basso continuo, this would normally
be a cello and keyboard instrument, in Vivaldi's case
often the organ. The text dwells on the imperfections
of a world full of evil and sin, and praises Jesus for
the salvation he offers from it. It is considered to be
one of Vivaldi's most beautiful solo motets.
Although originally written for Chorus and Chamber
Orchestra, I created this arrangement for Woodwind
Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, French Horn &
Bassoon).
PARTITION