This “Ultimate Free Guide to Vivaldi for Your Baby” is the next post in a series about composers.
This series of posts began with Mozart. He was the obvious choice because his Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is the first piece that that babies listen to in the Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) Baby Class.
Next, we learned about Tchaikovsky. His The Nutcracker ballet music is probably his most famous work. Beethoven followed Tchaikovsky. “Your Musical Baby” is also on a mission to showcase women composers and BIPOC composers. You can read about African-American composer Florence Price here.
In the future , we will explore more composers’ music. We will especially learn about the composers’ music found in the Suzuki repertoire. To that end, today’s post is about Italian composer, Antonio Vivaldi. His Concerto in A Minor for violin is included in the Suzuki repertoire.
Why Are These Guides Called “Ultimate”?
These posts are called “ultimate guide” because you are busy parents. You don’t have time for Music History 101! but, you may be curious about who wrote some of that beautiful classical music we talk about.
So, each post in the series will introduce a different composer that you should know. Next, there will be a listening recommendation for the composer’s compositions. Then, there will be a suggested book about the composer.
Goals of the Ultimate Free Guide to Composers
The main goal for this Ultimate Free Guide to Composers is to keep it short and simple. Firstly, the guides will begin with a brief biography of the composer.
I promise it will be short: when the composer was born, the MOST important things about his/her life, and when they died.
Next, there is a recommendation for only one of the composer’s compositions. Again, this is an effort to keep this activity short. Then, you can use it as a springboard for finding more music by the same composer.
Finally, there will be a suggestion for a book to read about the composer. There will be a substitute title from the SECE book list if there is not one available.
How to Use the Ultimate Free Guide to Composers
Once again, the goal for this Guide to Composers activity is to keep it short and simple. You can begin fairly quickly. The bio of the composer will be in the post itself. You can read that information to find out about the composer and when they lived
Next, the music selection may be included as a link in the post. It can also be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, etc. That way, you and your baby can start listening to the music right away.
There are a variety of ways to get the suggested book. It may be available at your library. The book most likely is on Amazon. In some cases, you will find a link to a website that sells the book.
In this time of pandemic, I would suggest buying it at your local bookstore, if possible. They can really use your support right now.
Yes, there is some expense involved. However, please think of these purchases as part of your baby’s education. You will be nurturing your baby’s heart and mind as well as your own.
The research shows that music and reading are so vital to the growth of your baby’s brain. They also have other tremendous effects on baby’s life as they grow.
So, now you can start the activities in this “Ultimate Free Guide to Vivaldi for Your Baby”.
Antonio Vivaldi-Quick Composer Facts
- Born March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy
- Was a composer, violinist, teacher, impresario, and Roman Catholic priest
- Became very popular and influential across Europe in his lifetime
- His best-known work is Four Seasons, a series of violin concertos
- Composed concertos for violin and other instruments
- Wrote sacred choral works
- Composed and produced more than 40 operas
- Spent most of his career as a composer and music director of a music ensemble at the Ospedale della Pieta, a home for abandoned children in Venice
- In 1740, moved to Vienna hoping for a court musician position after a seemingly successful meeting with Emperor Charles VI of Austria
- Unfortunately, Charles VI died shortly after Vivaldi’s arrival in Vienna and he had no financial support from the royal court
- Vivaldi’s financial situation deteriorated and he died in poverty in Vienna on July 28, 1741
Vivaldi’s Music
Vivaldi wrote a vast amount of music. He learned to play a number of instruments at an early age and began composing in his teens.
Vivaldi is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era.
Because Vivaldi was a virtuoso violinist, the style of his solo compositions were considered flamboyant at the time. He also was pushing the limit on the harmonic and melodic structure of his music.
I chose as the one listening piece for you and your baby, Vivaldi’s Concerto in A Minor for Violin. It was written around 1711, probably, for the string ensemble at the Pieta school.
The Concerto in A Minor (1st movement) is about 3 minutes long. It is a rather peppy piece of music and is best saved for your baby’s play time listening.
Ultimate Free Guide to Vivaldi “Bonus Activity”
For this activity you will need:
- enough room to dance around with your baby or toddler
- recording of Vivaldi’s Concerto in A Minor for Violin
Remember, baby benefits from repeated listening. They also do not tire of repetition the way adults do. Use this link to listen to Vivaldi’s Concerto in A Minor for Violin.
Start the music! If your baby is a tiny infant, you can hold them and tap the beat of the music on their little tummy. Or you can hold your little one and dance around to the music. If your child is a toddler, they may create their own dance moves. Another idea is to play “follow the leader” and take turns imitating each other’s dance moves.
Now, if you have to, step out of your comfort zone. Try to really move around. Be free and expressive.
Your baby will really tune in to your movement. They will “catch” your joy in the music. Plus, you can call it your aerobic workout for the day!
As your child begins to do this activity on their own, they will be developing valuable motor skills. Together, you and your baby will develop musical skills, listening skills, and strengthen the bond between you.
All these things are happening in one simple activity. the best part is that it is enjoyable and only takes a few minutes.
Read About Vivaldi
Most children’s books about composers are typically written for third grade reading level or higher. But, I continue to search out board books about composers specifically written for babies.
There are a few out there. Then, I was most excited to discovered the JamJam Books website. Believe it or not, they specifically write and publish board books for babies about composers and music!
For the book selection in this guide, I chose My First Vivaldi. It tells a short story about Vivaldi and his Four Seasons compositions for violin.
You and your little one will enjoy the delightful illustration in this book. Also, each musical clip in the book is 20-40 seconds long. This is just right for baby’s attention span.
The incredible part is that the publishers have licensed the musical clips from major orchestras around the world. Therefore, the sound quality is far better than the typical synthesizer/midi audio of many “sound ” books.
Check out jamjambooks.com. Have a look at their selections. Order My First Vivaldi to begin or add to you baby’s library of books about composers and music.
Enjoying the Ultimate Free Guide to Vivaldi
I sincerely hope that this Ultimate Free Guide to Vivaldi will help you bring the joy of Vivaldi’s music into your home. Play Concerto in A Minor for your baby many times everyday. Read My First Vivaldi as well.
Keep these few biographical facts you learned about Vivaldi in the back of your mind. Then when your child is old thought to understand, you can share that information with them.
Your baby will already be very familiar with Vivaldi’s music and life. You can then read and explore more about his life as they grow.
If you and your baby liked the Vivaldi “Bonus Activity”, you may be interested in finding a Suzuki ECE Baby Class in your area.
The Baby Class involves similar types of activities. Parents and their babies will also learn more about musical concepts, literacy, and life skills.
On the “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey” with you,
Susan
Comments and Share
If you have questions, comments, or would like to share if you did the Vivaldi “Bonus Activity”, put them in the Comments below. I would love to know if you and your baby enjoyed the activity!
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