History
There are three recorded compositions of Dixit Dominus – Psalm 110 in Latin (or Psalm 109 in the Vulgate) – by Vivaldi. Each is an extended setting of the vespers psalm for five soloists, choir and orchestra; one only having been identified as his work in 2005. [2] [3]
Psalm 110 is regularly included in vespers services, usually as the opening psalm. Dixit Dominus has been said to be one of his "most significant sacred works". [2]
RV 594
Vivaldi's best-known setting, catalogued as RV 594, is structured in ten movements, eight psalm verses and two movements for the doxology. [1] Set in D major, it is scored for two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass soloists, two SATB choirs and orchestras. [4] The first choir (Coro I) is accompanied by two oboes, two trumpets (with timpani), two violins, viola, organ and basso continuo , while the second choir (Coro II) is accompanied by strings, organ and continuo. [1] The duration is given as 25 minutes. [4]
Carus-Verlag published a critical edition in 2005. [4]
Music of RV 594
The ten movements are: [1]
- Dixit Dominus, Allegro, D major, common time, double choirs, orchestras with two organ soloists
- Donec ponam inimicos tuos, Allegro, B minor, common time, double choirs, strings
- Virgam virtutis tuae, Andante – Allegro molto, G major, common time, two sopranos, strings
- Tecum principium, Andante, E minor, 3/4, alto, strings
- Juravit Dominus, Presto, C major, common time, double choir, strings
- Dominus a dextris tuis, Allegro, C major, common time, tenor and bass, strings
- Judicabit in nationibus, Largo, D major, common time, double choir and orchestras
- De torrente, Andante, E minor, common time, soprano, strings
- Gloria Patri, Allegro, D major, common time, double choirs, orchestras with two organ soloists
- Sicut erat in principio, Allegro D major, common time, double choirs, orchestras
The first and ninth movement, one beginning the psalm, the other the doxology, rely on the same musical themes in the same key, for a frame of "festive splendour". [1] The second movement depicts the fall of God's enemies in descending lines. The third movement, a duet, features echo effects. In movement 7, regarded as a climax, Vivaldi made use of the two choirs in the tradition of Venetian polychoral style combined with elements from his operatic writing. The final movement is a masterful complex piece in polyphony based on six themes. [1]
RV 595
| Dixit Dominus | |
|---|---|
| Key | D major |
| Catalogue | RV 595 |
| Movements | eleven |
| Scoring |
|
The setting discovered next was catalogued as RV 595. Also in D major, it is structured in eleven movements, eight psalm verses and three movements for the doxology. It is scored for two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass soloists, a choir which also calls for divided soprano in some movements, and an orchestra comprising strings, two oboes, trumpet, and continuo bass. [2]
The eleven movements are: [2]
- Dixit Dominus Domino meo, D major, common time, choir, strings, oboes and trumpet, continuo bass
- Donec ponam inimicos tuos, D major, 3/4, choir and orchestra
- Virgam virtutis tuae, G major, common time, soprano solo, strings, continuo bass
- Tecum principium, A minor, 3/8, two soprano solos, two cellos, continuo bass
- Juravit Dominus, E minor/G major, 3/2, choir, strings, continuo bass
- Dominus a dextris tuis, B minor, common time, soprano solo, strings, continuo bass
- Judicabit in nationibus, D major, common time, choir, strings, trumpet, continuo bass
- De torrente in via bibet, E minor, common time, alto solo, strings
- Gloria Patri, et Filio, D major, 3/8, alto, tenor and bass solos, continuo bass
- Sicut erat in principio, D major, common time, choir, strings, oboes and trumpet, continuo bass
- Et in saecula saeculorum, D major, 3/4, choir, strings, oboes, continuo bass
RV 807
| Dixit Dominus | |
|---|---|
 Dixit Dominus RV 807, Dresden's transcript | |
| Key | D major |
| Catalogue | RV 807 |
| Scoring |
|
The Vivaldi setting catalogued as RV 807 was identified as his work only in 2005, having been thought to have been written by Baldassare Galuppi. [3] A handwritten copy held by the Saxon State and University Library Dresden (Sächsische Staatsbibliothek) in Dresden is titled "Dixit a 4: con strumenti / del Sig: Baldasar Galuppi, detto Buranello / Fatto per l'Ospedale delli Mendicanti / 1745". [5] Set in D major, it is scored for two sopranos, alto and two tenor soloists, choir and an orchestra of two bassoons, trumpet, strings and continuo. [5] A reviewer of its first recording described it as a masterpiece with "bold, intensely coloured rhetoric". [3]
