Sum in medio tempestatum RV 632

The composition of this glorious motet is directly
related to the visit of the Electoral Prince of Saxony to Venice in 1716/1717
that introduced the violinist Pisendel to Vivaldi. In 1733 the Prince’s father
died and he succeeded in his place. In the meantime Pisendel had in 1728 become
Concertmaster at the Saxon court orchestra and in 1730 a band of young Venetian
singers took up posts in Dresden. So when Vivaldi heard of the accession of the
Prince, he took advantage of the occasion to send to Dresden a selection of his
vocal compositions including this motet.

Sum
in medio tempestatum employs the classic storm
metaphor so beloved of poets and librettists of a ship in wild seas desperately
seeking calm water, a safe haven and starlight for guidance. The spectacular
first aria cleverly uses the graphic violence of the vocal and instrumental
lines vividly to describe the stormy seas. The music betrays its late date by
Vivaldi’s use of all manner of rhythmic refinements. The Largo Aria gives the
soprano a wonderful sighing melody before the cheerful vocal fireworks of the Alleluia carries all before it.