Antonio Vivaldi
Beatus vir RV 598
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Antonio Vivaldi
Beatus vir RV 598
- Instrumentation Soloists (SSA), Mixed Choir (SATB), 2 Violins, Viola and Basso continuo
- Composer Antonio Vivaldi
- Editor Uwe Wolf
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Difficulty Level
- Edition Instrumental Part: Organ (Urtext) Download
- Publisher Symphonic Dimensions Publishing
- Order no. CV40014-49-DL
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Description:
Antonio Vivaldi set Psalm 111 (112) "Beatus vir" three times ("Blessed is the man who fears the Lord"). Of these, two have survived that could hardly be more different: the extensive, double-choir work RV 597 (Carus 40.012/00) and the small but fine and effective setting RV 598, the latter composed for his pupils at the Venetian Ospedale della Pietà. The Urtext edition of this work is based on Vivaldi's autograph. The piece, which lasts about eight minutes and is of moderate difficulty, is characterized by a delightful alternation between choral sections and solo parts – sometimes an alto solo, sometimes a duet of two sopranos, sometimes the choir. Particularly noteworthy is the extensive renunciation of the basso continuo in the solo passages, which gives them a floating, ethereal sound effect. Vivaldi translates the psalm's juxtaposition of the "godless" and the "god-fearing" in a way that is rich in musical contrast. The conclusion is a jubilant doxology, which gives the work a worthy climax. With economical musical means, the composer succeeds in an impressive and varied interpretation of the psalm text.