For solo violin, strings and basso continuo

I. Allegro (0:00)
II. — (4:47)
III. — (6:22)

Composed: presumably 1716/1717
Source: Dresden SLUB Mus. 2389-O-46

The long sections of bariolage (0:42 and 2:16) are derived from Johann Paul von Westhoff, Sonata no. 3 mvt 3 "Imitatione delle Campane" (Imitation of Bells), published in Dresden in 1694. Listen:    • WESTHOFF -  Sonata n.3 in D minor - I...  

Vivaldi again made use of this material in Violin Concerto RV 332 (Opus 8 no. 8, c.1720;    • VIVALDI | Opus 8 | Concerto RV 332 in...  ) and again a third time in Violin Concerto RV 349 (found in Anna Maria's Partbook, c.1725).

It seems logical to think, and highly probable on the basis of available evidence, that it was Pisendel who introduced Vivaldi to the music of Westhoff. Thus RV 237 would have been composed around the time of their meeting in Venice in 1716/17 and the manuscript offered by the composer to his friend, to whom it is inscribed. It is now found in Dresden.

Cappella dell'Ospedale della Pietà, ‘L'eleganza capricciosa’
Stefan Plewniak, violino solo e direzione
Ëvoe Music EVOE 007