| VIVALDI – GLORIAS
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), the great Italian master, was raised in the church, his father a musician in the celebrated orchestra of St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. Together with his amazing musical prowess on the violin, and a desire to seek a living in the church, Vivaldi was ordained as a priest at the age of 25. He then began a long tenure as music teacher for Ospedale della Pieta, one of Venice’s several girls’ orphanages which offered instruction in singing and musical instruments. An important aim was to attract public attention via the chapel services and concerts to procure funding for the orphanage. Vivaldi’s flaming red hair earned him the nickname “The Red Priest.”
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
1684: Calculus first published
1689: Peter the Great becomes Czar of Russia
1707: United Kingdom of Great Britain formed - England, Wales and Scotland
1712: Religious wars in Switzerland
1720: “South Sea Bubble” - financial scandal in England
1733 – 35: France and Austria fight War of Polish Succession
Many contemporaries of Vivaldi chose to be influenced by his unique style, even going so far to have the notion of a “Vivaldi pattern” spread among composers throughout large parts of Europe during the first half of the eighteenth century. There is a hypothesis that even Bach (only seven years younger than Vivaldi) may have used Vivaldi’s “Gloria” as a model for the like-named section of the Mass in B minor. Still, no official proof exists.
Unlike the success he experienced with his concertos, Vivaldi's massive output of sacred works was hardly known beyond their original performance. Nonetheless, estimates are put at over fifty.
Although the subject of debate, stylewise, it is generally considered that RV 588 is the older work written sometime after 1713. The later RV 589 in D major is often considered the Vivaldi Gloria. It may have been composed during Vivaldi's first period of activity at the Ospedale, or it may be the Gloria known to have been written in 1725 for the marriage of Louis XIV of France, although the scoring for two female soloists (soprano and alto) tends to suggest conditions of performance at the girls' orphanage.
The Gloria is a joyful hymn of praise and supplication whose main purpose is to convey the joy of singing to the glory of God. Its opening phrases (“Glory be to God on high”) are the words the angels sang taken straight out of the New Testament account of Christ’s birth (ref Luke, ch 2 v 14). It was first adopted for use at Christmas only and then extended to other Feast days. It is now used weekly and even daily wherever Christians worship. In its present form it is a hymn of praise to the Trinity and speaks chiefly of the glory of the Son.
CREDITS
Choir: Christ Church Cathedral Choir
Orchestra: The Hanover Band
Director: Stephen Darlington
Soloists: Patrizia Kwella, Elizabeth Priday,
Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Andrew Carwood
Executive Producers: Richard Martin & Peter Sternberg
Compilation Producer: Eric Wyse
(P) & © MMIII Classic Fox Records
www.foxrecords.co.uk
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MASTERWORKS OF WORSHIP SERIES
Classical music can be a most exhilarating and satisfying sensory experience. However you uncover the gems of classical masterpieces, whether on a recording or in a live concert, the genius of the composer, as well as the emotional and spiritual underpinings all contribute to the uniqueness of each piece.
For Christians there is an added bonus to listening to much of this kind of music, since it was, in fact the praise and worship music of its time. This was the music that came out of the church, written to encourage and inspire believers to turn their attention toward the Kingdom of Heaven. Have you ever listened to a passage of classical music and felt something spiritual, that you couldn’t put your finger on? Many of these composers lived lives that were intensely spiritual, and used their music as a way to communicate their faith. Sounds like the contemporary Christian music scene of today, doesn’t it?
The Masterworks of Worship collection is an opportunity for you to sink into some of the greatest sacred classical masterpieces ever composed. You may have heard some of the music before, but perhaps you’ve never taken the time to find out what they were really saying in the lyrics. Here is a chance for you to pump new life into your daily worship through an inspirational connection with the classics as you find that these composers have put into words the thoughts you’ve only had in your heart.
The following notes provide an insight to each composer and their work. Wherever possible lyric translations have been included for pieces performed in languages other than English - a resource which we hope will provide you with the greatest possible understanding, enjoyment and appreciation of these celebrated classics.
TITLES AVAILABLE IN THE SERIES:
MASTERWORKS OF WORSHIP VOLUME 1
1. Handel - MESSIAH (Highlights)
2. Mozart - CORONATION MASS
3. Brahms - REQUIEM
4. GREAT CHORUSES (With Full Orchestra)
MASTERWORKS OF WORSHIP VOLUME 2
1. Bach - ST. JOHN’S PASSION (Highlights)
2. Vivaldi - GLORIAS
3. Haydn - CREATION (Highlights)
4. GREGORIAN CHANT
MASTERWORKS OF WORSHIP VOLUME 3
1. Beethoven - MISSA SOLEMNIS
2. GREAT INSTRUMENTALS
3. Rachmaninov - VESPERS
4. Stainer - CRUCIFIXION
Produced by Eric Wyse
Executive Producers: Peter Sternberg & Richard Martin
(P) & © MMIV Classic Fox Records
www.foxrecords.co.uk |
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