Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) was an Italian composer and violinist, considered among the greatest exponents of Baroque music. A priest, although unable to celebrate mass for health reasons, he was called "the Red Priest" due to the color of his hair. He was one of the most virtuosic violinists of his time and one of the greatest composers of Baroque music. Considered the most important, influential and original Italian musician of his era, Vivaldi contributed significantly to the development of the concerto, especially solo (a genre initiated by Giuseppe Torelli), and of violin technique and orchestration. Furthermore, he did not neglect opera in music and his vast compositional work also includes numerous concerts, sonatas and pieces of sacred music.

His works influenced numerous composers of his time including the greatest Baroque genius Johann Sebastian Bach, but also Pisendel, Heinichen, Zelenka, Boismortier, Corrette, De Fesch, Quantz. His best-known compositions are the four violin concertos known as The Four Seasons, a famous example of subject music. As with many Baroque composers, his name and music fell into oblivion after his death. Only thanks to the research of some 20th century musicologists, such as Arnold Schering, Marc Pincherle, Alberto Gentili, Alfredo Casella and Gian Francesco Malipiero, his name and his works became famous again, becoming one of the best known and most performed composers.

Antonio Vivaldi wrote at least three Gloria compositions, settings of the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo, with words probably dating back to the 4th century, and an integral part of the mass ordinary. Two of them have survived: RV 588 and RV 589. A third, RV 590, is mentioned only in the Kreuzherren catalogue and presumed lost. The RV 589 Gloria is a familiar and popular piece among sacred works by Vivaldi. It was probably written at about the same time as the RV 588, possibly in 1715.

As with other choral pieces the composer, Vivaldi, wrote many introduzioni (introductory motets) that were to be performed before the Gloria itself. Four introduzioni exist for these Glorias: Cur Sagittas (RV 637), Jubilate, o amoeni cori (RV 639) (the last movement of which is compositionally tied with the first movement of RV 588), Longe Mala, Umbrae, Terrores (RV 640), and Ostro Picta (RV 642).

Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_(Vivaldi)).

Although originally written for Chorus (SSATB), 2 oboes, Trumpet, Strings & Continuo, I created this Interpretation of the "Gloria" in D Major (RV 588) for Winds (Flute, Oboe, French Horn & Bassoon) & Strings (2 Violins, Viola & Cello).