What is the fast-slow-fast pattern in Antonio Vivaldi’s concerti?

Antonio Vivaldi was instrumental in standardizing the concerto cycle into a three-movement structure consisting of a fast-slow-fast pattern.123

By reducing the number of movements from the more numerous, varied designs favored by his predecessors, Vivaldi established this specific sequence as the standard for his concerti. This structural choice may have been influenced by the Italian opera sinfonia (or overture), which also utilized a tripartite fast-slow-fast scheme.124

In Vivaldi’s works, this pattern serves as a framework for his innovative use of ritornello form, where recurring refrains alternate with virtuosic solo passages. While the fast movements are characterized by rhythmic drive and bold themes, the slow inner movements often take on the expressive, lyrical quality of an aria.231