Hi,
I just did my yearly X-mas charity concert. This year we played Vivaldi's Gloria. The 12 movement is written in 4/2 cut time. That means that 1/4 notes sounded like 1/8 notes etc. Was it written that way by Vivaldi or did some publisher do that? Either way, why is it written that way? It would seem to be so much easier to read written in 4/4 with 1/8 notes.

Hi Lynn! Happy Holidays.
During this time publishers definitely had an influence on composers with regard to instrumentation, form, length, and of course layout. But I seriously doubt they would stipulate rhythm. It is very likely that the composer wrote it this way. It was traditional, especially for vocal music to be written in large denominations of rhythm, for readability if not for any other reason. Many works ave been republished in the 19th centry to reflect a more "modern" approach. and then there is a move to "go back" to the way the composer wrote it. So, you likely experienced the latter. But was it GOOD MUSIC???? :). Best to you!
Patrick