Although he composed in many musical genres, Vivaldi truly redefined the
concerto and made it distinctly his own. And although adept at writing
for a variety of instruments, the violin remained his primary
instrument. The composer's 12 concertos known as "L'estro armonico"
[Harmonic Innovation] are distinguished from all other ensemble music
of their time by their emphasis on virtuosity, their rhythmic
exuberance, flexible instrumentation, independent approaches to thematic
development, and their genuine innovations in concerto form.
This magnificent work, dedicated to the Florentine Grand Prince
Ferdinand III de Medici, incorporates twelve works organized as four
sets. Each set contains a concerto for four solo violins, one for two
solo violins, and one for a single solo violin.
A distinguished addition to the music literature, this volume has been
newly edited and engraved under the guidance of Dr. Eleanor
Selfridge-Field, a recognized authority on music of the Italian Baroque,
with associate editor Edmund Correia, Jr.