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Angel
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| Posted: July 02 2010 at 3:45pm | IP Logged
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On her list of things she is currently interested in, my 11 yo dd has written "Vivaldi". I'm reasonably sure that we have the Classical Kids CD Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery (it is probably in a box somewhere at this point), but I think that my dd wants a good biography. I was poking around Amazon, but I'm not finding too much (at least in the time I have). Any suggestions? She initially became interested in Vivaldi from reading the book Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and what the neighbors thought).
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Angela
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Mattie
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We loved "I, Vivaldi" by Janice Shefelman. Picture Book but accurate and lovely illustrations. And still plenty to read!
Hope this helps
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Mattie
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MaryM
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I'm glad Mattie mentioned this picture book. Initially I was really excited to find it a couple years ago shortly after it was published - a picture book about a muscian who was a priest. But after reading it I was disappointed and would not recommend it it without mentioning some caveats, especially for young ones. I think it is better suited to an older student, with discussion of the issues, but that is just my opinion. I don't want to discount the book or other's enjoyment of it  .
There is much that is not known about Antonio Vivaldi's life (especially the early part) and the author says as much in the "author's notes" at the end. She also says she therefore chose to take those few bits of early info and fill in with her thoughts on what could have been.
I've had review notes saved in the draft folder of my blog for almost two years and have pulled that out here.
Antonio was baptised immediately after birth (which is known to be true, maybe because he was ill and not expected to live or maybe due to an earthquake fear). In the book they choose the sickly baby option, and his mother vows if he is saved he will become a priest (which could have been the case - but is speculation). Mother is portrayed as controlling - doesn't want him to learn music because he is going to be a priest. Basically she won't let him do anything. He is portrayed as resentful toward his mother and as forced into the priesthood to keep his mother's vow. He has no joy or desire for the priesthood. The tone toward vocations is negative.
The book recalls an incident where he leaves the altar (during the "service") to write music that was flooding into his head. (The altar shown doesn't look Catholic at all - would not be an acurate representation of the magnificent Venetian churches of that period.) He says in the text of the picture book, "Then tell him, Your Excellency, that I do not wish to say Mass again. I wish to make music."
The leaving the altar to write music is based on a rumour that has circulated. It seems he might have left the altar during Mass a few times - and the writing music is one thought, but there is some indication that it was health related (either real or fabricated). Either way, it really is a topic to discuss if you are reading the book with a child.
It is known he was very sickly - probably had severe asthma or heart trouble and that illness is thought to be the reason for the end to his public ministry as a priest. We do know that he was assigned to the orphanage and he did not publicly minister as a priest. There is not indication of him being laicized so he would still be under the obligation to say Mass - though maybe not publicly as a parish priest, right?
As mentioned, authors notes do indicate what is fact (little known) and fiction - most of it and definitely the negative of fighting his vocation, harshness of his mother.
It does have a nice glossary and includes the music for Spring in the appendix.
I'm not saying the book does not have merit, and it definitely got me researching, just wanted folks to be aware of the tone and liberties the author had taken. And even if all this specualtion was true, it seems to warrant a good discusion with any student reader.
My research is soley internet based and I need to get a good reliable biography but all in all is seems that is a lot that is not known about him or his life.
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Mary M. in Denver
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 03 2010 at 10:53am | IP Logged
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We have a very frequently used copy of The Gift of Music: Great Composers and Their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith and Betty Carlson. Though it's a good compilation book and not an entire book about Vivaldi (so probably not the depth of a biography you're looking for) it does contain a very nice chapter introducing Vivaldi, his life and his music, and offers a depth which might give you some definite avenues to extend the look at Vivaldi into Venice at the 18th century and his contribution to the prolific Baroque period of music. The authors note that not much is known of Vivaldi. His life is mostly a mystery since he was virtually undiscovered until after his death. He might have remained undiscovered were it not for Bach who transcribed at least 9 of Vivaldi's concertos which then prompted a closer look at Vivaldi.
Of his youth and priestly vocation, this is all the book has to say:
The Gift of Music wrote:
| Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice around 1678. He was the son of the leading violinist of St. Mark's Chapel. He was educated by his father and Legrenzi, who was the director of music at St. Mark's as well as a fine organist and composer. Vivaldi was trained for both music and the priesthood, and became a priest in 1703. Because of ill health, he was excused from active service the following year, and afterwards devoted himself wholly to music. |
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It's a good chapter on Vivaldi and goes on to set the context of the period of Venice in the 18th century, and Vivaldi's career. What I found interesting was how involved Vivaldi became in the Music program of the Conservatory of the Ospedale della Pieta', which was a sort of semi-convent for orphaned girls. He wrote more than 400 concertos for the music programs which these girls performed in very popular musical performances.
Of these 400 concertos, one was The Gloria in D which the authors comment on:
Quote:
| His sacred works were written for the Pieta' (the girls convent) and hardly ever emerged from there. His splendid work, The Gloria in D, kindles a sense of rapture due to Vivaldi's own spiritual depth. Vivaldi often recited psalms and prayers out loud while walking in the corridors of the Pieta'. |
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This leads me to believe that there was a great devotion to his faith, particularly since he spent almost 40 years of his career composing sacred works for the Pieta.
The book affirms the thought that Vivaldi suffered from asthma, and cross-references much that was going on con-currently -
** Stradivari and Corelli with the violin and how that influenced Vivaldi in the string orchestra (listen to the bird sounds in The Four Seasons),
** Bach's appreciation of Vivaldi's work, without whom Vivaldi would likely have remained largely unknown,
** Canaletto, the Venetian painter that illustrated scenes for over 40 of Vivaldi's operas,
** and the great culture and musical creativity of the Venice during the Baroque period.
I don't have the following book, but The Gift of Music recommends this book on Vivaldi: Vivaldi: Genius of the Baroque by Marc Pincherle, published 1957.
Probably WAY more than you ever wanted to know about Vivaldi - but I'm a big fan!
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Jen Mackintosh
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lapazfarm
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Jen, that sounds like an awesome resource!
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Angel
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| Posted: July 03 2010 at 2:41pm | IP Logged
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Mary, thanks for your review of the picture book. I did see that one on amazon and wasn't sure about it... My dd has said that she's mostly interested in Vivaldi *because* he was a priest.
And Jen -- thank you for the resources. I've been looking for reference books on composers in general, too, and the Gift of Music looks great!
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Angela
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Angel
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| Posted: July 03 2010 at 2:44pm | IP Logged
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Oh, and it's not a book, but I did find this music + narration CD about Vivaldi. It's part of the Music Masters series. Any opinions?
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Angela
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leanne maree
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I would second jens' "gift of Music....". It is excellent. We have been using it this last year,
My dd got quite interested in Vivaldi, and researched further, just using 'my approved' internet sites.
i Like the way it places the composers in chronological order.
And your resource sounds looks good to angela
Leanne
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Mattie
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| Posted: July 05 2010 at 9:43am | IP Logged
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Thanks Mary for setting it straight with "I, Vivaldi" We read it a couple of years ago and just remembered enjoying it! I guess the negatives had gone out of my mind!
So whatever Mary says is more accurate!
See you this weekend Mary!
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Mattie
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stacykay
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MaryM wrote:
I'm glad Mattie mentioned this picture book. Initially I was really excited to find it a couple years ago shortly after it was published - a picture book about a muscian who was a priest. But after reading it I was disappointed and would not recommend it it without mentioning some caveats, especially for young ones. I think it is better suited to an older student, with discussion of the issues, but that is just my opinion. I don't want to discount the book or other's enjoyment of it .....
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I must have found this book the same time as you, Mary, and was just as excited. I bought it for my godson, whose name is Antonio. However, I had the same reservations in reading it. I just gave it to him for Easter, this year, as he is now 9 1/2. I told him and his mom that it is an interesting story, I didn't know how much is truth, and that it's a good lesson in reading with a questioning mind.
It is a very visually appealing book, and we have always enjoyed his music! I do think that there may be some other books out there, and I am thinking maybe they might be in a previous thread somewhere? Running to driver's ed class, so can't check, but maybe do the search on him. Always a font of info to be found in the forum!
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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Topic: Vivaldi?
