Magnificat (Vivaldi)

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.^[1]

RV 610 was composed either before 1717^[1] or in 1719.^[2] 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

A performance of RV 610 by the King Bible Choir in Italy, 2009. 1st movement "Magnificat anima mea Dominum" 1:06 minutes, 3 MB) 2nd movement "Et exultavit spiritus meus" (2:17 minutes, 6.5 MB) 3rd movement "Et misericordia ejus" (2:31 minutes, 7 MB) 4th movement "Fecit potentiam" (0:30 minutes, 1.4 MB) 5th movement "Deposuit potentes" (0:55 minutes, 2.6 MB) 6th movement "Esurientes" (1:40 minutes, 4.6 MB) 7th movement "Suscepit Israel" (0:47 minutes, 2.2 MB) 8th movement "Sicut locutus est" (2:00 minutes, 5.8 MB) 9th movement "Gloria Patri" (2:14 minutes, 6.4 MB)

Problems playing these files? See media help.

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.

1. "Magnificat anima mea Dominum" Adagio, G minor, common time

   This movement is similar to the second movement of the composer's Credo.

2. "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

3. "Et misericordia ejus" Andante molto, C minor, common time

   This highly contrapuntal movement is considered the "musical heart" of the composition.^[1]

4. "Fecit potentiam" Presto, G minor, 3/4
5. "Deposuit potentes" Presto, G minor, 3/4; unison choir
6. "Esurientes" Allegro, B-flat major, common time; soprano duet; continuo only
7. "Suscepit Israel" Largo, D minor, common time

   —"Recordatus misericordiae suae" Allegro

8. "Sicut locutus est" Allegro ma poco, F major, common time; SAB chorus; 2 oboes added to orchestration
9. "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.^[1] Later adaptations may have facilitated performances within the Ospedale della Pietà.^[3]

• RV 610a, possibly arranged in the late 1720s for double choir
• RV 610b, probably arranged before 1717, for single choir
• RV 611, arranged in late 1730s. Sections for solo voice replaced by five new arias.

References

1. Heller, Karl (1997). Antonio Vivaldi: The Red Priest of Venice. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-57467-015-8.
2. Adams, Susan (2011). Vivaldi: Red Priest of Venice. Lion Books. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-7459-5353-3.
3. Kolneder, Walter (1970). Antonio Vivaldi: His Life and Work. University of California Press. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-520-01629-3.

External links

• Magnificat (Vivaldi): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• Free scores of Magnificat (Vivaldi) in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)