This is beyond all doubt a composition manuscript, i.e. a draft: this is seen from the fact that Vivaldi initially ended the slow movement in the wrong key, B-flat major instead of the home key of F major (6:42). He did not notice the error before he had begun composing the third movement. By then there was no space left to make the correction, so he had to insert the replacement bars on a loose sheet tucked inside the manuscript. The music paper is not like Vivaldi’s usual (Venetian) stock: it has yellowed with age, the ink is bleeding a little and the notes on the verso can be seen through the page. This paper is known to be of Roman provenance. It reminds me of the manuscript of _Il Giustino_ (Rome, 1724) which has a similar appearance. The idea for the opening ritornello is also taken from _Il Giustino_ (Aria _Un vostro sguardo_ - Act I, Scene 2). If the concerto is indeed from 1724 (or the year before?), this would be among the earliest of Vivaldi’s 39 solo bassoon concertos. It seems reasonable to assume that Vivaldi first started composing for the bassoon (as a solo instrument) with the chamber concertos (c. 1716-1720). Here in this concerto, starting from the solo episode at 1:40, Vivaldi indicates that the accompaniying violins should sometimes play one to a part, not tutti; the resulting texture is much the same as in the concerti da camera. A direct quote from RV 100/I reinforces this link with the chamber concertos. This occurs at around 2:20. But the motif goes all the way back to RV 578(a)/II (Opus 3 no. 2/II). I. Allegro non molto (0:00) II. Largo (3:11) III. - (6:51) Composed: perhaps c.1724 Turin source: Foà 32, ff. 143-153 L'Aura Soave Cremona, ‘Concerti per fagotto I’ Sergio Azzolini, fagotto Naïve OP 30496
