L'arte del violino
Encyclopedia
L'arte del violino is a noteworthy and influential musical composition from Italian Baroque
violinist and composer Pietro Locatelli
. The twelve concerti
were written for solo violin, strings, and basso continuo and were published in 1733 as the composer's third opus
. The virtuosic style and artistry present in the work strongly influenced violin playing in the 18th century and cemented Locatelli's reputation as a pioneer of modern violin technique.
, where Locatelli resided from the year 1729 until his death in 1764. It is dedicated to the Venetian patriarch Girolamo Michiel Lini, for whom he had performed while staying in Venice and of whose orchestra Locatelli remarked upon the skill and "unparalleled size."
, the concerti of L'arte del violino were created in the newer Venetian style of Antonio Vivaldi
. The music makes ample use of the violin's very high register, giving it a bel canto
quality lacking in Locatelli's early work.
Each of the twelve concertos in L'arte del violino contain the traditional three movements, with the typical progression of two faster movements surrounding a slower, more contemplative middle movement. In each concerto, the two outer movements contain what is known as a capriccio
. These capricci, often lasting several minutes, can be described as a kind of written-out violin cadenza
played extemporaneously during which the soloist is given ample opportunity to display his or her skill with the instrument. The capricci intervals contradict the expected format of the solo concerto by occurring before the final ritornello
of the tutti
. It is these 24 extraordinary capricci intervals for which L'arte del violino attained its fame, for they are described as "the most difficult violin display passages of all Baroque literature."
The final concerto of the twelve, nicknamed the "Labyrinth
" concerto by the composer, is notorious for its exceedingly difficult capricci. Locatelli wrote the following inscription beneath the first-movement capriccio: "Laberinto armonico: 'Facilis aditus; difficilis exitus.'" This can be translated to mean, "Harmonic Labyrinth: Easy to enter; difficult to escape!"
In a letter dated April 11, 1741, Benjamin Tate, an English visitor, expressed his astonishment after listening to Locatelli play from the Labyrinth Concerto:
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
violinist and composer Pietro Locatelli
Pietro Locatelli
Pietro Antonio Locatelli was an Italian composer and violinist.-Biography:Locatelli was born in Bergamo, Italy. A child prodigy on the violin, he was sent to study in Rome under the direction of Arcangelo Corelli...
. The twelve concerti
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
were written for solo violin, strings, and basso continuo and were published in 1733 as the composer's third opus
Opus number
An Opus number , pl. opera and opuses, abbreviated, sing. Op. and pl. Opp. refers to a number generally assigned by composers to an individual composition or set of compositions on publication, to help identify their works...
. The virtuosic style and artistry present in the work strongly influenced violin playing in the 18th century and cemented Locatelli's reputation as a pioneer of modern violin technique.
Compositional History
L'arte del violino was first published by the publishing house of Roger-Le Cene in the city of AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, where Locatelli resided from the year 1729 until his death in 1764. It is dedicated to the Venetian patriarch Girolamo Michiel Lini, for whom he had performed while staying in Venice and of whose orchestra Locatelli remarked upon the skill and "unparalleled size."
Structure
As opposed to his previous music, which models itself on the Roman style of baroque composition best exemplified by Arcangelo CorelliArcangelo Corelli
Arcangelo Corelli was an Italian violinist and composer of Baroque music.-Biography:Corelli was born at Fusignano, in the current-day province of Ravenna, although at the time it was in the province of Ferrara. Little is known about his early life...
, the concerti of L'arte del violino were created in the newer Venetian style of Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
. The music makes ample use of the violin's very high register, giving it a bel canto
Bel canto
Bel canto , along with a number of similar constructions , is an Italian opera term...
quality lacking in Locatelli's early work.
Each of the twelve concertos in L'arte del violino contain the traditional three movements, with the typical progression of two faster movements surrounding a slower, more contemplative middle movement. In each concerto, the two outer movements contain what is known as a capriccio
Capriccio (music)
A capriccio or caprice , is a piece of music, usually fairly free in form and of a lively character...
. These capricci, often lasting several minutes, can be described as a kind of written-out violin cadenza
Cadenza
In music, a cadenza is, generically, an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played or sung by a soloist or soloists, usually in a "free" rhythmic style, and often allowing for virtuosic display....
played extemporaneously during which the soloist is given ample opportunity to display his or her skill with the instrument. The capricci intervals contradict the expected format of the solo concerto by occurring before the final ritornello
Ritornello
A ritornello is a recurring passage in Baroque music for orchestra or chorus. The first or final movement of a solo concerto or aria may be in "ritornello form", in which the ritornello is the opening theme, always played by tutti, which returns in whole or in part and in different keys throughout...
of the tutti
Tutti
Tutti is an Italian word literally meaning all or together and is used as a musical term, for the whole orchestra as opposed to the soloist...
. It is these 24 extraordinary capricci intervals for which L'arte del violino attained its fame, for they are described as "the most difficult violin display passages of all Baroque literature."
The final concerto of the twelve, nicknamed the "Labyrinth
Labyrinth
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos...
" concerto by the composer, is notorious for its exceedingly difficult capricci. Locatelli wrote the following inscription beneath the first-movement capriccio: "Laberinto armonico: 'Facilis aditus; difficilis exitus.'" This can be translated to mean, "Harmonic Labyrinth: Easy to enter; difficult to escape!"
In a letter dated April 11, 1741, Benjamin Tate, an English visitor, expressed his astonishment after listening to Locatelli play from the Labyrinth Concerto:
Outline of concertos and movements
- Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 3/1
- Andante
- Largo
- Andante
- Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 3/2
- Andante
- Largo
- Andante
- Concerto No. 3 in F major, Op. 3/3
- Andante
- Largo
- Vivace
- Concerto No. 4 in E major, Op. 3/4
- Largo-andante
- Largo
- Andante
- Concerto No. 5 in C major, Op. 3/5
- Largo-andante
- Adagio
- Allegro
- Concerto No. 6 in G minor, Op. 3/6
- Largo-andante
- Adagio
- Vivace
- Concerto No. 7 in B flat major, Op. 3/7
- Andante
- Largo
- Allegro
- Concerto No. 8 in E minor, Op. 3/8
- Andante
- Largo
- Allegro
- Concerto No. 9 in G major, Op. 3/9
- Allegro
- Largo
- Allegro
- Concerto No. 10 in F major, Op. 3/10
- Allegro
- Largo-andante
- Andante
- Concerto No. 11 in D major, Op. 3/11
- Allegro
- Largo
- Andante
- Concerto No. 12 in D major "The Labyrinth," Op. 3/12
- Allegro
- Largo
- Allegro