Both soloists are equals, first competing without upper strings. The first movement begins not with the usual instrumental ritornello, but with the two soloists alone, imitating each other in fast succession, with virtuoso passages.

The concerto is structured in three movements: A manuscript was found in the Renzo Giordano Collection at the National Library in Turin, which holds much of Vivaldi's personal collection. Vivaldi composed it possibly in the 1720s in Venice. Among these cello concertos, RV 531 is the only one for two cellos. He composed 27 concertos for cello, string orchestra and basso continuo. Vivaldi used the cello as a solo instrument in several compositions, which was a new trend during the period. It is Vivaldi's only concerto for two cellos, and begins unusually with an entry of the solo instruments alone. The cello part in the basso continuo group can be played by orchestral cellists or by the soloists.Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, RV 531 is a concerto for two cellos, string orchestra and basso continuo in three movements, believed to have been composed in the 1720s. At the same time the edition allows for a flexible realisation of this concerto: it can be performed by a full tutti orchestra or by one performer per part. The edition is based on the careful evaluation of Vivaldi’s autograph score which is the main source and several inconsistencies found in previous editions have been clarified. The two solo parts take centre stage with virtuosic passages but lie on the instrument so well that they can be comfortably mastered by advanced students. The Concerto RV 531 is the only double concerto in Vivaldi’s œuvre for two solo violoncellos. Vivaldi knew how to tailor his music to the cello and in doing so, helped to establish this still young instrument in the music of that time. Throughout his life, Antonio Vivaldi wrote almost thirty instrumental works that use the cello as a solo instrument. With practical tips for a flexible realisation of this work.

Spaciously arranged solo parts with ideal page turns.

Scholarly-critical edition with a Foreword on the background of the work and on performance practice (Ger/Eng).

Vivaldi cello concerto for two cellos