Arcangelo Corelli, born into a wealthy family in 1653, began his musical studies in Bologna in 1666 and was admitted to the Accademia Filarmonica four years later.
Composer Biography
Corelli served as master of music for Cardinal Pamphili and later for the young Cardinal Ottoboni, participating in famous academies held in their palaces.
Cultural Impact
Corelli's violin sonatas (Op. 5, 1700), dedicated to Electress Sophia Charlotta of Brandenburg, were landmarks in violin playing history, with over forty further editions appearing in the 18th century.
Composition History
Corelli's most influential works, the orchestral concerti grossi, were never published during his lifetime but were issued posthumously in 1714 as his Op. 6 by his disciple Fornari.
Instruments
Arrangements of Corelli's Op. 5 sonatas for viola da gamba, possibly from the Brandenburg court, transpose the solo part an octave lower than the violin, enriching the contrapuntal texture with the viol's six strings.
Compositional Technique
Corelli's trio sonatas are categorized as 'da chiesa' (church sonatas) with movements characterized by tempo indications, or 'da camera' (chamber sonatas) which are typically a group of dances preceded by a prelude.
Composition History
Corelli dedicated his first printed collection of trio sonatas (Op. 1, 1681) to Queen Christina of Sweden, an exiled queen and discerning music-lover.
