Music #324 - Arcangelo Corelli

Arcangelo Corelli  

(1653 – 1713, Italian)

Corelli was the most famous violinist-composer of the Baroque era, and one of the most influential after Monteverdi.


* 4 sets of 12 trio sonatas  (for 2 violins and continuo)
   = 24 trio sonate da chiesa (church); 
   + 24 trio sonate da camera (chamber); 

e.g. Op.4 No.9

* 12 solo sonatas  (for violin and continuo)
   = 6 sonate da chiesa 
   + 6 sonate da camera 

E.g. Sonate a violino e violone o cimbalo, Op.5, No.12 “La Folia”

* 12 concerti grossi  (for concertino of 2 violins and cello, string ripieno▪, and continuo)
   = 8 concerti da chiesa 
   + 4 concerti da camera

Legend: ▪ripieno is the larger of the two ensembles

E.g. Op.6 No.8

His Opus 6 collection of 12 was published posthumously and considered the epitome of the concerti grosso form.