Vivaldi: Concerto In D Minor Op. 3 No. 11

Question 1

When was Vivaldi alive?
What period was this?

Answer 1

1678 - 1741
Baroque

Question 2

Op. 3 No. 11 was part of the L’Estro Armonico concerto.
How many concertos does it consist of?
What was it designed to do?

Answer 2

12
Impress by diversity of style and scoring

Question 3

What instruments are used and how are they scored?

Answer 3

Two soldi violins
Large ensemble of violins and violas
Cello
Figured bass

Question 4

What did the instruments make up?

Answer 4

Standard trio sonata

Question 5

For the figured bass, what instrument fills in the harmonies?

Answer 5

An archlute: plucked string instrument, developed c. 1600

Question 6

L’Estro Armonico meaning

Answer 6

Defies translation but taken to mean ‘harmonic fancy’ or ‘harmonies inspiration’

Question 7

What does there orchestration consisting of two violins, cello and strings mean?

Answer 7

It is a concerto grosso

Question 8

What is a concerto grosso?

Answer 8

For group is solo instruments (the concertino)
Plus a larger ensemble (the ripieno)

Question 9

What did Vivaldi keep the same about the concerto grosso?

Answer 9

Traditional form

Question 10

What did Vivaldi change, looking to the future about the concerto grosso?

Answer 10

Technically demeaning passages of outer movements
Dramatic opposition of tutti and soloists
Lyrical outpouring in slow movements

Question 11

In fast movements, what alternates with each other?

Answer 11

Ritornellos (passages for full orchestra)
With
Passages for solo instruments

Question 12

Describe Vivaldi’s concertos

Answer 12

Boundless energy
Artful use of:
Arpeggios
Scales
Sequences

Question 13

What is the length of the introductory Allegro in Allegro - Adagio e spiccato - Allegro?

Answer 13

Short

Question 14

What are the first 5 bars of Allegro - Adagio e spiccato - Allegro made up of?
What is this element based on?
What part is this played on?

Answer 14

Solely of a D minor chord
A canonic, arpeggiated tonic triad
Unaccompanied solo violins

Question 15

How do the following 14 bars continue after bar 5 in A-A-A?

Answer 15

Over a pedal point (sustained pedal)
On D

Question 16

When do the cello and continuo enter in A-A-A?

Answer 16

Bar 20

Question 17

As the cello and continuo enter what is the harmony based on in A-A-A?

Answer 17

Pattern of falling fifths

Question 18

How long is the Adagio e spiccato in A-A-A?

Answer 18

3 bars

Question 19

What does the Adagio e spiccato in A-A-A lead into?
What is this introduced by?
What is this answered by?

Answer 19

Fugal passage
Solo cello
Viola

Question 20

What style do the largo in Largo e spiccato?

Answer 20

Siciliano-style: slow time or lilting rhythms

Question 21

What does the Siciliano-style Largo give the upper solo voice?
What does it suggest?

Answer 21

A king candabile line
Operatic aria

Question 22

How and What does the solo upper voice sing over in L?

Answer 22

Freely
Over a simple accompaniment

Question 23

What was a siciliano?

Answer 23

Instrumental movement
Late 17th a small 18th centuries
Soloist to improvise, particularly in the reprise

Question 24

Describe the end allegro

Answer 24

Lively

Question 25

How does the end allegro open?

Answer 25

With soloists in imitative style
Use of suspensions

Question 26

What is the next passage after the opening in end allegro for?
What patter does it follow

Answer 26

Solo cello
Sequential (sequence) pattern

Question 27

What comes to prominence in the second half of end allegro?
What are parts of it similar to?

Answer 27

First violin
Virtuoso cadenza

Question 28

What follows the solo violins prominence in end allegro?

Answer 28

Passage of fugal entries

Question 29

What does the movement include several of?
Example of where a descending chromatic line can be heard

Answer 29

Chromatic passages
Final bars of continuo