Antonio Vivaldi

Concerto in F Major Op. 10 No. 5 RV442

Vivaldi's Concerto in F RV 433 for Flute, Strings, and Basso Continuo. Called in both cases 'La tempesta di mare, ' the work's opening Allegro has a characteristic thumping unison repeated-note theme with the flute soloisttrading short lines in imitation with the orchestral violins in the outer sections and warbling maniacally above the ripieno in the central episodes. The opening closes on a big half cadence and then moves into the quiet centralLargo, with the flute soloist becalmed in the eye of the storm and haunted by memories and ghosts. The closing Presto opens with a powerful unison theme with the flute soloist performing the first long lyrical lines of theworkagainst the thrusting violins and basso continuo.