• Jaroussky Vivaldi Virtuoso Cantatas
• Vivaldi Virtuoso Cantatas
• Vivaldi Virtuoso Cantatas Philippe Jaroussky
• Vivaldi Four Seasons Virtuoso
• Vivaldi Virtuoso
• Vivaldi Virtuoso

Angel Vivaldi at Euroblast Festival 2017
Background information
Born	June 13, 1985 (age 35) New Jersey, United States
Genres	Instrumental rock, progressive metal, neoclassical metal, hard rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, bass
Years active	2003–present
Associated acts	Scale the Summit, Vext, Black Market Hero
Website	angelvivaldiofficial.com

Vivaldi Virtuoso live On entend ici le Concerto pour violon op.3 n°9, le Concerto pour deux violons op.3 n°8, le Concerto pour violon RV 357, ainsi que deux. Philippe Jaroussky- Ensemble Artaserse, Vivaldi: Virtuoso Cantatas Album available on: https://www.facebook.com/Philip.

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born on March 4, 1678, in Venice, Italy. His father, Giovanni Battista Vivaldi, was a professional violinist who taught his young son to play as well. Through his father. 'Antonio Vivaldi: Virtuoso Impresario' examines links between Vivaldi's concertos and operas. Thus, the Concerto RV370 has origins partly in the opera Ottone in villa, RV134 was probably once the sinfonia to an oratorio, and RV254 shows signs of having started out life as an entr'acte. Vivaldi by Virtuoso Violinist - Samvel Yervinyan & virtuoso Pianist Albert Blbulyan.

Angel Vivaldi (born June 13, 1985) is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer, philanthropist and environmentalist. Voted 'third best guitarist' in 2014 by Prog-Sphere,^[1] he began his solo career in 2003. Vivaldi has self-released five records, Revelations, The Speed of Dark, Universal Language, Away with Words: Part 1, and Synapse. In 2015, he released a cover of Joe Satriani's 'Crystal Planet' single. Vivaldi is known for his virtuoso guitar playing style and cinematic music videos.

Early life[edit]

Born in New Jersey to an Italian-American and Puerto Rican family, Vivaldi grew up on dance music, freestyle music and Spanish music.^[2] He started playing guitar at 15 and is self-taught. He cites Nirvana, Megadeth, Yngwie Malmsteen and Eric Johnson as early influences.^[3] Vivaldi was strongly discouraged from becoming a musician by his family and had little support from them.^[4]

Music career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Vivaldi performed live regionally for four years before recording any music (other than demos). After releasing his debut album, 'Revelations', in 2008 (which since then has been removed from all outlets), he joined Black Market Hero. He released his second EP titled The Speed of Dark in 2009 (which saw a re-recording/re-release in August 2016) and uploaded his first play-through of Acid Reign on YouTube shortly thereafter.

He competed in Guitar Player magazine's 'Guitar Superstar Competition' in 2010 with judges George Lynch and Gary Hoey.^[5]

Universal Language, Vext[edit]

Released in May 2011, Vivaldi recorded Universal Language with producer Will Putney. It became a viral success following the release of two music videos for 'A Mercurian Summer' and 'A Martian Winter'. Despite critical acclaim and success, it would be four years before any extensive touring was done.

Jaroussky Vivaldi Virtuoso Cantatas

Shortly after the release of Universal Language, Tommy Vext (ex-Divine Heresy, ex-Snot, Bad Wolves) approached Vivaldi about joining his supergroup Vext which featured members of Mutiny Within. Vivaldi recorded and performed on the band's debut EP titled Impermanence. Vext was offered record deals however Vivaldi left due to not being ready to sign a contract.^[6]

Away with Words and present day[edit]

2014 would see the release of Away with Words: Part 1 which was also produced by Will Putney. The songs are titled from 1 to 5 in Morse Code. This album cycle also saw two music video releases for the songs '▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄' (One) and '▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄' (Two). Vivaldi began touring in 2015 with a headlining US/Canada tour with The Algorithm. He continued to tour extensively throughout 2016, ending with co-headlining US tour with Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Firewind).

It was announced in 2015 that Away with Words: Part 2, a primarily acoustic release, would be put on hold to focus instead on a full album called Synapse.^[7] Though the album was slated to be released in 2016, its eventual release date was October 6, 2017.

In 2017, he released the album Synapse.

Philanthropic work[edit]

Vivaldi participated in the annual Jemfest event held in Orlando, Florida. Its aim was to raise money for Steve Vai's Make A Noise Foundation. Vivaldi performed in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010 which featured a masterclass from Steve Vai.

Following the events of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Vivaldi broadcast a six-hour live stream to raise funds for the victims and their families.^[8]

After losing his friend to ALS in 2014, Vivaldi launched a live broadcast with Chris Letchford of Scale the Summit called 'Shred for ALS', raising money for ALS research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute.

He has also spoken out as a gay man in support of the LGBT community.^[9]

He practices meditation stating that it helps with getting focused while on tour or in the studio.^[10][11]

Influences[edit]

Vivaldi holds Kurt Cobain as one of his biggest inspirations to picking up the guitar.^[12] Today his influences include Carmen Miranda, Kaki King, Jean Luc Ponty, Evergrey, Misery Signals, Parkway Drive and Mattias Eklundh.^[13]

Equipment[edit]

Vivaldi had been a long-time user of seven string Ibanez guitars, primarily an RG7 called 'Dorothy'. He can be seen using various Ibanez 7-strings throughout his videos, but he records and performs mainly with 'Dorothy'.

He uses Mesa Boogieamps, Fractal Audio Axe FX 2 XL and DiMarzio pickups.^[14]

In 2018 Vivaldi was endorsed by guitar manufacturer Charvel, which made him a seven string variant of their 'DK-24' as a signature model.^[15]

Discography[edit]

Angel Vivaldi[edit]

• Revelations (2008)
• The Speed of Dark [EP] (2009)
• Universal Language [EP] (2011)
• Away with Words: Part 1 [EP] (2014)
• Crystal Planet (digital single) feat. Dan Sugarman (2015)
• The Speed of Dark: Revisited [EP] (2016)
• Synapse (2017)
• Wave of Synergy (digital single) feat. Andy James (2018)
• Triple Helix (digital single) feat. Cole Rolland (2019)

Vext[edit]

• Impermanence [EP] (2012)

Band members[edit]

• Angel Vivaldi – lead guitar (2003–present)
• Jason Tarantino – rhythm guitar (2009–present)
• Bill Fore – drums (2010–present)

Former members[edit]

• Jake Skylyr – bass (2007–2017)

Concert tours[edit]

• Touring You Apart, 2015 – Angel Vivaldi, The Algorithm, Save Us from the Archon
• The Shape of Color Tour, 2015 – Intervals, Plini, Angel Vivaldi, Save Us from the Archon
• Operation Domination, 2016 – Angel Vivaldi, Gus G
• The Wave of Synergy European Tour, 2017 – Angel Vivaldi, Andy James, The Fine Constant
• The Guitar Collective, 2017 – Angel Vivaldi, Andy James, Scale the Summit
• Melodic Decadence Tour, 2018 – Angel Vivaldi, Hyvmine, Day of Reckoning
• The Guitar Collective, 2018 – Angel Vivaldi, Nita Strauss, Jacky Vincent

References[edit]

1. ^Nikola Savić on February 1, 2015 (February 27, 2015). 'Best Guitarists of 2014 - Results Are In!'. Prog Sphere. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
2. ^'Angel Vivaldi Interview'. Wired Guitarist. April 2, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
3. ^/ ladydeviant (December 20, 2013). 'Angel Vivaldi- Interview of Inspiration | Lady Deviant'. Ladydeviant777.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
4. ^AF GM (October 5, 2012). 'AFGM: The Martian Contact: An Interview with Angel Vivaldi'. Afgallaghermusic.blogspot.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
5. ^'Guitar Superstar 2010'. GuitarPlayer. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
6. ^'angelvivaldi. | o f f i c i a l w e b s i t e'. Angelvivaldiofficial.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
7. ^'ANGEL VIVALDI - Touring You Apart Interview | GEAR GODS'. YouTube. February 28, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
8. ^'Orlando Shootings Fundraiser'. YouTube. June 12, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
9. ^'Listen Up: Metal guitar instrumentalist Angel Vivaldi plays Drunk Horse Pub | Weekender'. fayobserver.com. November 4, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
10. ^'» In Conversation With 'InstruMetal' Guitarist Extraordinaire Angel Vivaldi | Metal Assault: Interviews'. Metal Assault. November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
11. ^'AWAY WITH WORDS STUDIO DOCUMENTARY // Episode 4: Lead Guitars'. YouTube. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
12. ^Jones, Patricia (October 30, 2015). ''Touring Me Apart': Talking life, music, and more with Angel Vivaldi'. AXS. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
13. ^'BAH Magazine: Angel Vivaldi NAMM Interview 2016 by Talia Farber'. Bahmagz.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
14. ^'Arsenal'. Angelvivaldiofficial.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
15. ^'Angel Vivaldi'. Charvel blog. Retrieved February 8, 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)

External links[edit]

Violin virtuosity reached a new height around the year 1700. From the start of the Baroque Period a hundred years earlier, skilled craftsmen like Gasparo da Salò advanced string instrument building technique until it reached its apex with the instruments of Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri. The burgeoning music publishing industry also inspired composers to write pieces that would stand out and establish their international reputations. The new instruments and new ability to distribute music motivated and challenged composers to write technically demanding music that would have wide appeal.

Antonio Vivaldi, born in Venice in 1678, took advantage of these new trends in the music industry. He was an incredible violin virtuoso—his playing was so exhilarating and daring that a contemporary described himself as “terrified” when he heard it. He was also a prolific composer, a skilled opera impresario, and all-around musical entrepreneur. His vocal music, today mostly forgotten, was an important part of his career. He claimed to have composed 94 operas, both for his main theater, the Teatro San Angelo in Venice, and many patrons elsewhere, and he traveled extensively as an impresario after 1718.

When Vivaldi was starting out, the concerto form popularized by Rome-based composer Arcangelo Corelli dominated Italian instrumental music. It developed out of the trio sonata and its three solo instruments—two violins and cello—were accompanied by strings and continuo. Corelli had a lot of qualities that Vivaldi didn’t: he was well educated, a respected mentor and teacher, and a writer of virtuosic but tasteful music. Vivaldi was none of those things. He was brash, egotistical, and his playing was as fiery as his difficult personality. (“His vanity was notorious” according to biographer Michael Talbot.) Corelli’s students organized memorial concerts every year for decades after his death—Vivaldi had already been forgotten by the time he died penniless in 1741 in far-away Vienna. Here’s a movement from one of Corelli’s Op. 6 concertos, his most admired and imitated set of concertos:

Vivaldi’s concertos brought together the right elements at the right time to influence a generation of composers. His style caught fire and blazed across Europe, starting with his Op. 3, L’estro armonico (the harmonic inspiration, 1711), a published collection of 12 concertos for one, two, and four solo violins accompanied by strings and continuo.

“It was not only the outward form, so original and different, of Vivaldi’s L’estro armonico which fascinated and enthralled musicians all over Europe but the intensely personal style—the ‘Vivaldi style’ par excellence, with its wiry, nervous sound and that intense concentration of rhythmic designs which, once experienced, are literally unforgettable.” H.C. Robbins Landon

One of the most influential instrumental music publications of the 18th century, L’estro armonico set new standards in violin playing. Vivaldi brought a new depth and singing quality to slow movements, a cross-over from his vocal writing. He also took advantage of another new trend: imitating the sound of the trumpet. Trumpet playing was an integral part of life in Baroque Italy: it was featured in everything from royal processionals to special masses with choir, often in groups of five or six, to everyday church music, sonatas, and concertos. Violinists borrowed the trumpet's quick repeated notes and arpeggios (the most natural intervals to play on a valveless trumpet), and were able to play them with more control and add virtuosic passagework. Albinoni, Vivaldi’s Venetian contemporary, wrote this ‘Sonata di concerto’ for trumpet in 1694—the violin fills in passagework around the trumpet melody:

Vivaldi’s formal innovation was just as important as his unique style of violin playing. L’estro armonico established Vivaldi’s preference for three contrasting movements (fast-slow-fast). It also pioneered a new use of the ritornello form. The ritornello (“return”) started out in vocal music as a repeated instrumental interlude between sung sections and it was just entering the realm of instrumental music when Vivaldi started composing. Vivaldi quickly elevated it to the standard form for all concerto movements. In his music, ensemble ritornello sections are tonally stable to establish the home key at the start and end of the movement and reinforce each change of key during the movement. The solo sections, in turn, are tonally unstable, modulating between keys, which amps up the tension during the daring solo passages. Here’s an example from L’estro armonico

Vivaldi Virtuoso Cantatas

for two solo violins:

Vivaldi Virtuoso Cantatas Philippe Jaroussky

Vivaldi Four Seasons Virtuoso

The Vivaldi craze was short and intense. His music served as a sort-of flashpoint for late Baroque style: it both influenced other composers and was simultaneously criticized by them for its freewheeling virtuosity. Vivaldi’s difficult personality didn’t help. He stopped publishing his instrumental music in 1730 because he didn’t feel it was lucrative enough, and his influence quickly waned after that. But he brought a clear structure and new dramatic power to the concerto, foreshadowing the Classical period, and he opened up new ways forward in violin playing.

Vivaldi Virtuoso

Vivaldi Virtuoso

Article by Laura Keller, Editorial Manager