Vivaldi Concerto Op. 3 No. 6 for Violin and String Orchestra

Vivaldi: Concerto in A minor, Op. 3 No. 6, RV 356 (Violin and String Orchestra)

Op. 3 No. 6 is one of the solo violin concertos from L'Estro Armonico, and at around Grade 6 it is one of the more accessible works in the set. The outer movements are built around the kind of idiomatic violin writing Vivaldi does best: extended sequences and arpeggio figures that drive through the harmony with rhythmic momentum, requiring clean string crossings and a well-organised bow arm rather than advanced left-hand technique. The slow middle movement asks for something entirely different: a singing, expressive line with real tonal control, where the Baroque restraint the style demands means there is nowhere to hide in terms of tone production.

This is a new edition prepared from the original score, with a fully realised harpsichord continuo part. A properly worked-out harpsichord part completes the harmonic texture Vivaldi intended and makes a practical difference to how the ensemble sounds in rehearsal and performance.

The solo part sits at around ABRSM Grade 6 in terms of the notes, but stylistic awareness is the real demand. Clean articulation, controlled bow distribution through the arpeggio passages, and a clear sense of the difference between Baroque and Romantic phrasing are what separate a competent performance from a convincing one. The orchestral parts sit at a comparable level and give the ensemble plenty of musical interest alongside the soloist.

At six minutes across three movements, it is a practical length for student recitals and chamber concert programmes.

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 sense of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: Solo Violin + String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) + Harpsichord (realised continuo)
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 6 (solo and orchestral parts)
• Duration: approximately 6 minutes
• Style focus: arpeggios and sequences in the outer movements; singing tone in the slow movement
• Edition: new edition prepared from the original score, with fully realised harpsichord continuo part
• Format: PDF download, full score, all parts, and harpsichord part

Who it's for

This suits student soloists at Grade 6 level and above who are ready to work on Baroque concerto style, and chamber or school orchestras looking for a single-soloist Baroque work that is manageable for the ensemble without being trivial. The continuo realisation makes it practical for any group with a keyboard player, and the three-movement structure suits it for student recitals, school concerts, and mixed-period programmes where a Baroque work is wanted.