Musical contribution - September 2014

Adagio, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741)

Vivaldi received his first music lessons from his father, became priest in 1703 and received his “red priest” nickname as a result of his red (ginger) hair. He also played as a violinist in a girls’ orphanage. He organised concerts with these girls, which certainly proved to be successful. Vivaldi wrote most of the more than 500 concertos for them. Stravinsky once wrote: “Vivaldi didn’t write hundreds of concertos, but hundreds of variations of one concerto.”

This month we would like to present part of an oboe concert which was originally written by Alessandro Marcello. Vivaldi arranged this work and Bach also produced an arrangement for the harpsichord at a later stage. And now it’s made its way to your lectern as an organ arrangement. I am hoping to also offer the outer parts at a later stage, allowing you to have a complete concerto in your possession.

This middle section enjoys constant movement in the accompaniment and a beautifully decorated melody for the soloist. I have opted for a flute 8’ in the accompaniment, because of the tranquillity it creates. You will hear 3 different reed stops when you listen to the recording. I wouldn’t have done this at a concert, but it certainly gives you an idea of the possibilities. You will first hear a gamba (exudes calm), a nasard 3’ secondly (which gives the melody a little more shine) and a prestant 8’ in third place (very hushed). The combination of 16’ and 8’ in the pedal.

This Adagio is exactly what you’ll need once the leaves start turning yellow again and eventually end up at the bottom of the trees, when the autumn rain and storms keep you indoors and make you long for a beautiful piece of music.

With Kind Regards,
André van Vliet