Arcangelo CORELLI 17 February 1653 - 8 January 1713 (age 59)
Arcangelo Corelli, Italian late baroque composer. He has been called: - "The Father of the Concerto Grosso" - "Founder of Modern Violin Technique" - "The World's Greatest Violinist"
Born: 17 February 1653, Fusignano, nr Bologna, Italy Zodiac: Aquarius Parents: prosperous landowners Siblings: fifth child Partners: Never married Children: None Died: Rome. 8 January 1713 Grave: Buried in the Pantheon, Rome, next to Raphael see findagrave
Performed as the leading violinist of his day. Directed and conducted concerts on a regular basis. He was also an outstanding teacher. Antonio Vivaldi was his star student.
What is a Concerto Grosso?
Corelli didn't invent the concerto grosso (plural = concerti grossi) but he did develop it, popularise it, teach it and write the first great works in that genre. It consists of two contrasting groups of players: a small group of lead instrumentalists or soloists - often two violins and a cello with maybe harpsichord and lute- and a full orchestra (like a modern backing group). In the video below you can see how this works.
Career
- age 13 - 18 studied at Bologna. The Venetian Leonardo Brugnol was one of his teachers. - age 18 he went to Rome where he studied composition under Matteo Simonelli - He soon established himself as one of Rome's leading musicians and won the patronage of Queen Christina of Sweden who had moved to Rome following her abdication. - After she died he entered the service of Cardinal Pamphili who paid him well and gave him rooms at his palace. - When Pamphili moved from Rome the young Cardinal Ottoboni, the Pope's nephew, befriended him, employed him paying him even more. This was a position which he held for the rest of his life. - Corelli died an extremely wealthy man. He had accumulated a large and valuable art collection. - He was very well known and respected throughout Europe for his music and had a great influence the future of music.
"La Follia"
Alessandra Talamo, Accademia degli Astrusi
Christmas Concerto, Adagio Op. 6 No. 8
by the San Francisco Early Music Ensemble Voices of Music
Sonata in F Major Op.5 No.4
Hanneke van Proosdij, recorder
Concerto Grosso, Opus 6 No. 8
Links - where to go for more information:
Answers.com collected reference sites including Wikipedia
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