These concertos were widely imitated in style and shape no less than Johann Sebastian Bach transcribed three of them for organ. L'estro armonico - Harmonic Fancy or Harmonic Inspiration are the usual English approximations of the title - became the most influential music published in the Baroque half of the 18th century. Further editions soon appeared throughout Europe. The instrumental prowess of Vivaldi and his Pietà pupils is apparent in Vivaldi's third published collection, 12 concertos issued under the title L'estro armonico by the Amsterdam publisher Etienne Roger in 1711. So accomplished were the Pietà's musicians that its observances were A-list social events for Venetian nobles and major tourist attractions. Later that year he was appointed maestro di violino (violin master) at the Pio Ospedale della Pietà, a girls' orphanage famous for the musical training it provided. Vivaldi was also trained as a priest, and was ordained in March 1703. Antonio made his first known public appearance as a violinist in 1696 during Christmas services at San Marco, the Venetian basilica internationally known as a progressive musical center. His father, Giovanni Battista Vivaldi, was undoubtedly his principal violin teacher (and later his main copyist). Though chronically beset with a condition thought to be asthma, Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was indefatigable as a musical entrepreneur, teaching, composing, and performing at an amazing pace.

Vivaldi violin concerto