Arcangelo Corelli

(1653 - 1713)

Arcangelo Corelli - Prague Classical ConcertsArcangelo Corelli (February 17, 1653 - January 8, 1713) was a composer, pivotal figure of the Baroque period, and one of the most influential violinists of all time. Born in Fusignano, he studied in nearby Bologna and after 1675 lived in Rome. There, his patrons included Queen Christina of Sweden and, after 1690, the art patron Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni. Corelli was the most widely published and reprinted composer before the Franz Joseph Haydn; he was also the first composer to gain an international reputation solely on the basis of his instrumental music. Many elements of his style became commonplace in the 18th century, and his works are early examples of the newly evolved system of major and minor tonality. As the preeminent violin virtuoso of the day, he taught many leading violinist-composers of the 18th century.

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He gained success early, traveling throughout France, Germany, and Italy, establishing his reputation as a virtuoso. His legacy is, however, the influence his works, especially the Op. 5 trio sonatas, had on composers such as Francesco Geminiani (sonatas Op. 1, 1716), Pietro Locatelli, Francesco Mária Veracini, Giuseppe Tartini and many others.

Corelli's affect on the development of violin playing, first via his students, such as Geminiani and Locatelli, and then via his legacy on to Italian violinists of succeeding generations, such as Giovanni Battista Viotti and eventually Niccolò Paganini, is hard to overstate. Though he used only a limited palate of instrumental effects, his playing and compositions were marked by extraordinary melodic flow, and accompanying voices are more integrated and follow less strictly the "rules" of counterpoint in favor of musicality.

Corelli composed 48 trio sonatas, 12 violin sonatas, and 12 concerti grossi. Six published sets are authentically attributed to Corelli, along with a few unpublished works.

Upcoming classical concerts of the composer's music in Prague:

  • Nov 24 Sunday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • Nov 24 Sunday
    Concert at Prague Castle - Mozart, Vivaldi and Pachelbel

    Time: 16:30
    Prague Castle, St. George's Basilica

  • Nov 24 Sunday
    Vivaldi Four Seasons

    Time: 17:00
    St. Giles Church

  • Nov 24 Sunday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 17:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Nov 24 Sunday
    Bolero, Carmina Burana

    Time: 17:30
    Spanish Synagogue

  • Nov 24 Sunday
    Classic Spectacular

    Time: 17:30
    Klementinum, St. Salvator Church (Charles Bridge)

  • Nov 24 Sunday
    Prague Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra | Vivaldi - Mozart - Beethoven

    Time: 18:00
    Rudolfinum, Suk hall

  • Nov 24 Sunday
    WOW Show

    Time: 20:00
    WOW - Black Light Theatre

  • Nov 25 Monday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • Nov 25 Monday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 17:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Nov 25 Monday
    Hallelujah

    Time: 17:30
    Spanish Synagogue

  • Nov 25 Monday
    The Nutcracker - P. I. Tchaikovsky

    Time: 18:30
    Broadway Theatre

  • Nov 25 Monday
    Classic Spectacular

    Time: 18:30
    Klementinum, St. Salvator Church (Charles Bridge)

  • Nov 26 Tuesday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • Nov 26 Tuesday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 17:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Nov 26 Tuesday
    Bolero, Carmina Burana

    Time: 17:30
    Spanish Synagogue

  • Nov 26 Tuesday
    Famous organ works and duets for soprano and trumpet

    Time: 18:00
    St. Nicholas Church in the Old Town Square

  • Nov 26 Tuesday
    Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

    Time: 19:00
    Klementinum, St. Clement's Cathedral

  • Nov 26 Tuesday
    The Four Seasons, Emperor Concerto & Chopin in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 19:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Nov 26 Tuesday
    The Best of Classics

    Time: 20:00
    Municipal House (Obecní dům), Smetana hall