Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus, RV 594

Description

Dixit Dominus (Ps 109), a psalm setting for double choir, is one of Vivaldi's most significant sacred works. in it, he takes up the old Venetian polychoral tradition, combining its compositional techniques with those of the instrumental concerto, the cantata and the opera. The broadly conceived cycle of movements, consisting of eight psalm verses and the doxology, is characterized by an expansive arch of tonalities connecting the two framing outer movements in D Major (these are also thematically related): "Dixit Dominus" and "Gloria Patri." The contrasting and varied inner movements are perfect examples of Vivaldi's skill in vividly portraying linguistic figures in music.