Credo (Vivaldi)

The Credo in E minor (RV 591) is the only extant setting of the Nicene Creed by Antonio Vivaldi.

Another setting exists (RV 592) but is of dubious authenticity.

In a style similar to his psalm setting of In exitu Israel (RV 604), the first movement adorns the chorus' simple rhythms of crotchets and minims with the orchestra playing semiquavers and quavers.

The second movement is a brief choral episode in the stile antico, borrowing thematic material from the composer's Magnificat.

RV 592 is a disputed composition, attributed to Johann Adolph Hasse.

Figure 1. Measures 1 and 2 of the Violini I e II staff of RV 591.

Figure 2. Measures 129 and 130 of the Violino I staff of RV 588.