Magnificat (Vivaldi)
Antonio Vivaldi composed several settings of the Magnificat hymn. The original setting for single choir, RV 610, is generally indicated when Vivaldi's Magnificat is performed and discussed.[1]
RV 610 was composed either before 1717[1] or in 1719.[2] Set in G minor, it is scored for 2 soprano soloists, alto and tenor soloists, SATB choir, violin I and II, viola, and basso continuo (cello and organ).
Structure
The work is divided into nine movements. Performances require approximately 20 minutes. All movements are scored for four-part chorus, strings and continuo, unless indicated otherwise.
- "Magnificat anima mea Dominum" Adagio, G minor, common time
- This movement is similar to the second movement of the composer's Credo.
- "Et exultavit spiritus meus" Allegro, B-flat major, common time; soprano solo
- —"Quia respexit humilitatem..." alto solo, brief choral interjection at "omnes generationes"
- —"Quia fecit mihi magna..." tenor solo
- "Et misericordia ejus" Andante molto, C minor, common time
- This highly contrapuntal movement is considered the "musical heart" of the composition.[1]
- "Fecit potentiam" Presto, G minor, 3/4
- "Deposuit potentes" Presto, G minor, 3/4; unison choir
- "Esurientes" Allegro, B-flat major, common time; soprano duet; continuo only
- "Suscepit Israel" Largo, D minor, common time
- —"Recordatus misericordiae suae" Allegro
- "Sicut locutus est" Allegro ma poco, F major, common time; SAB chorus; 2 oboes added to orchestration
- "Gloria Patri..." Largo, G minor, common time
- This section recapitulates the opening movement.
- —"Sicut erat in principio..." Andante
- —"Et in saecula saeculorum..." Allegro
Other versions
Vivaldi composed several settings based on RV 610.[1] Later adaptations may have facilitated performances within the Ospedale della Pietà.[3]
- RV 610a, possibly arranged in the late 1720s for double choir
- RV 610b, probably arranged before 1717, for single choir
- RV 611, arranged in late 1730s. Sections for solo voice replaced by five new arias.
References
- ^ a b c d Heller, Karl (1997). Antonio Vivaldi: The Red Priest of Venice. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-57467-015-8.
- ^ Adams, Susan (2011). Vivaldi: Red Priest of Venice. Lion Books. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-7459-5353-3.
- ^ Kolneder, Walter (1970). Antonio Vivaldi: His Life and Work. University of California Press. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-520-01629-3.
Editions
- Vivaldi: Magnificat RV 610, Stuttgart Carus-Verlag 1972
External links
- Magnificat (Vivaldi): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Free scores of Magnificat (Vivaldi) in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
