Antonio Vivaldi composed several settings of the Magnificat hymn. The original setting for single choir, RV 610, is generally indicated when Vivaldi's Magnificat is performed and discussed.
Contents
RV 610 was composed either before 1717 or in 1719. Set in G minor, it is scored for 2 soprano soloists, alto and tenor soloists, SATB choir, violin I and II, viola, and basso continuo (cello and organ).
Structure
The work is divided into nine movements. Performances require approximately 20 minutes. All movements are scored for four-part chorus, strings and continuo, unless indicated otherwise.
- "Magnificat anima mea Dominum" Adagio, G minor, common time This movement is similar to the second movement of the composer's Credo.
- "Et exultavit spiritus meus" Allegro, B-flat major, common time; soprano solo —"Quia respexit humilitatem..." alto solo, brief choral interjection at "omnes generationes" —"Quia fecit mihi magna..." tenor solo
- "Et misericordia ejus" Andante molto, C minor, common time This highly contrapuntal movement is considered the "musical heart" of the composition.
- "Fecit potentiam" Presto, G minor, 3/4
- "Deposuit potentes" Presto, G minor, 3/4; unison choir
- "Esurientes" Allegro, B-flat major, common time; soprano duet; continuo only
- "Suscepit Israel" Largo, D minor, common time —"Recordatus misericordiae suae" Allegro
- "Sicut locutus est" Allegro ma poco, F major, common time; SAB chorus; 2 oboes added to orchestration
- "Gloria Patri..." Largo, G minor, common time This section recapitulates the opening movement. —"Sicut erat in principio..." Andante —"Et in saecula saeculorum..." Allegro
Other versions
Vivaldi composed several settings based on RV 610. Later adaptations may have facilitated performances within the Ospedale della Pietà.
Editions
References
Magnificat (Vivaldi) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA