Antonio Vivaldi

This is one of several concertos that Vivaldi wrote for the viola d'amore, a bowed instrument with 14 strings. The performer plays on seven of these, and the other seven are not touched directly but provide sympathetic vibrations.

The orchestral strings bow out a no-nonsense motivic idea that expresses considerable concern at the beginning of the opening Allegro. The viola d'amore continues in the same mood in its virtuosic solo passages. The orchestra continues in the feeling of concern and mild sadness with repeated chords at the beginning of the ensuing Largo. A cantilena for the viola d'amore extends this mood through the central part of the movement right to the end. Rushing scalar figures in the strings begin the concluding Allegro, and the soloist holds forth with sustained song in its first two solo passages and continues virtuosically in the third. The mood is one of mild urgency with some passing shades of confidence.