The composer Arcangelo Corelli was born today in 1653 in Italy. Corelli was writing music a few decades before J.S. Bach, and had an influence on him. He was a skilled violinist, and supposedly some violinists today can trace their student-teacher-lineage back to Corelli.
Some of his most popular works include the 12 Concerti Grossi from Op. 6, one of which (No. 8) is called the "Christmas Concerto" - listen here to the 1st and 2nd movements, here for the 3rd and 4th movements (the 3rd movement was featured in the movie "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"), and here for the 5th and 6th movements.
I find his music very refreshing and uplifting - it is very structured and disciplined, yet has rich harmonies, surprising key-changes, and depth of emotion. The Christmas Concerto represents some of the finest orchestral music from the middle Baroque period of classical music - I hope it uplifts you as it does me.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
So, do you think Rachel will be able to trace her lineage back to corelli? (assuming she doesn't choose the cello or flute, that is)
we'll have to choose her violin teacher with that in mind... clearly.
Post a Comment