Raphael Wallfisch, the cellist on this recording, studied with Gregor Piatigorsky and had the honor of playing chamber music with the renowned Jascha Heifetz.
Cultural Impact
Vivaldi's influence on the development of the Baroque solo concerto was so profound that J.S. Bach transcribed many of his concertos for organ and harpsichord.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Vivaldi's concertos established a standard three-movement form (fast-slow-fast) for much of Europe, featuring orchestral ritornellos interspersed with solo sections.
Composer Biography
Antonio Vivaldi, born in Venice in 1678, was the son of a barber who was also a distinguished violinist at the Basilica of San Marco.
Historical Context
Unlike later composers, Vivaldi and his contemporaries freely borrowed from their own and others' works, often creating 'pasticcios' by combining existing pieces.
Composer Biography
Vivaldi, known as 'il prete rosso' (the red priest) due to his inherited hair color, was ordained in 1703 and appointed violin-master at the Ospedale della Pietà.
Compositional Technique
Vivaldi composed around 500 concertos, with about half for his own instrument, the violin, and over two dozen for cello.
