vivaldi concerto for 2 violins in a minor

A solo violin dominates the second-movement Largo, as the simple ritornello form Vivaldi uses gives over most of the movement to its passionate lament. The movement seems to end on a Picardy third, but this proves false, and the coda settles finally on the minor.

The subject has a resemblance to the melody introduced by the soloists, and the soloists cooperate with the orchestra in its development. Three bars of Adagio form a small interlude before one of the few full-blown fugues in Vivaldi's instrumental output. The soloists open the first movement by themselves, the two violins playing in unison with a choppy rhythm in the cello the violins eventually liberate themselves enough from the rhythm to introduce a melody, which is then taken up by the cello over the continuo. 3/11 is one of the more interesting of a fascinating set, offering a unique structure and passionate music to fill it. 3 set of 12 concerti, entitled L'estro armonico ('Harmonious Inspiration'), was enormously influential all over Europe Johann Sebastian Bach thought enough of it to transcribe six concerti from the set, including the 11th, written in D minor for two violins and cello.

Vivaldi concerto for 2 violins in a minor