Pro Arte Sion Concert: Vivaldi’s Gloria and Magnificat

Vivaldi’s Gloria was composed in 1715 or 1717. This representative work, in the style of what is known as a ‘cantata mass’, consists of 12 movements which differ in their instrumentation, style, key and the emotion they convey. Vivaldi’s talent shines through both in the solemn and resounding choral movements and in the solos, which are conceived more as chamber music. We have chosen to perform this work because it is brilliant and joyful, whilst also being demanding.
The Magnificat, composed in 1715 or 1719 for choir, orchestra with oboes and soloists, is a work setting to music the Virgin’s canticle during the Visitation, as recounted by the Evangelist St Luke. It is a very joyful piece. The RV611 version we have chosen to perform replaces movement 2, ‘Et exultavit’, with five solos that he had written for the female singers at the Ospedale della Pietà orphanage, where he served as chaplain and musical director. The piece consists of nine movements: eight for the Marian canticle and one for the doxology.
This work, which is, all things considered, quite brief, is suited to the service of Vespers, of which it is traditionally a part.