November 1711
Venice and AmsterdamAntonio didn't let his recall to the Conservatorio slow the pace of his writing. If Stabat Mater was “simple and predictable” as Filipe described – I still have not heard it performed – his next production was anything but.
I heard him play the lead violin part alone while he practiced in his studio, then just last week I was able to hear the full complement of strings for which L'estro armonico was written. It was performed in a small studio on the second floor of one of Venice's richest families. I had been invited as a guest of the family to a special dinner to celebrate the graduation of their daughter – I have forgotten her name – from music studies at the Conservatorio. Graduation might not be the right word. The pleasant looking young woman had at
