Vivaldi Concerto Alla Rustica RV 151 for String Orchestra

Vivaldi: Concerto "alla rustica" in G major RV 151 for String Orchestra (with realised Harpsichord Part)

Vivaldi's Concerto "alla rustica" takes its character from its name: rustic, outdoor, with the direct melodic energy of a country dance rather than a courtly occasion. It's one of the few Vivaldi concertos written for string orchestra alone, without a soloist, which makes it unusual in his output and particularly useful for programming: a substantial Baroque work that doesn't depend on finding the right solo player. This new edition, prepared from the original score, includes a fully realised harpsichord continuo part.

The three movements follow the fast-slow-fast structure typical of the Baroque concerto, but at five minutes total the work is tightly constructed and direct. The outer movements have the rhythmic drive and melodic clarity Vivaldi does best: clear parts, strong harmonic rhythm, and a sense of forward momentum that keeps the ensemble honest. The central slow movement provides a brief moment of repose before the finale. With no soloist, the whole ensemble is in play throughout, and getting the balance right across the string parts is the main musical discipline the piece requires. The harpsichord continuo part completes the texture in the way the music was designed to be heard, providing the harmonic foundation that supports the string writing from below.

Paul Wood has prepared this edition directly from the original score, with clean, accurate engraving and a continuo realisation that works in performance and is practical for a modern harpsichordist to sight-read.

At five minutes, it's compact and effective: a piece that makes an immediate impression and fits into a programme without demanding a large slice of the evening.

See and hear the difference

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear picture of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) with realised Harpsichord continuo
• Original: Concerto "alla rustica" RV 151 in G major
• Duration: approximately 5 minutes
• Format: PDF download, full score, all string parts, and realised harpsichord part
• Edition: newly engraved from the original score by Paul Wood, with realised continuo

Who it's for

This suits chamber and school orchestras looking for well-prepared, complete Baroque repertoire that doesn't require a soloist. The realised continuo part makes it suitable for historically informed performance contexts, and it's a practical choice for mixed programmes where a compact, immediately effective Baroque work is needed.