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.

Enjoy classical concerts of Corelli music in Prague. Book tickets online >>>

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 Six published sets are authentically attributed to Corelli, along with a few unpublished works.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:

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Beethoven and Mozart in the Municipal House

    Time: 17:00
    Municipal House (Obecní dům), Smetana hall

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    The Best of World and Czech Music

    Time: 17:00
    St. Martin in the Wall Church

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Vivaldi Four Seasons in Old Prague

    Time: 17:00
    St. Giles Church

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    From Baroque to Jazz with world famous pieces

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

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 18:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Mozart Dinner - Your private opera in Prague

    Time: 19:00
    Boccaccio Ballroom

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

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

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Famous Organ Concerts

    Time: 19:00
    St. Francis Church

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Classic Spectacular

    Time: 19:30
    Church of Our Lady before Tyn (Tyn Church)

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Classic Spectacular

    Time: 19:30
    Klementinum, St. Salvator Church (Charles Bridge)

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Hallelujah

    Time: 20:00
    Spanish Synagogue

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Sarasate - Gypsy Airs op. 20

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

  • Oct 5 Saturday
    The Best of Image

    Time: 20:00
    Image - Black Light Theatre

  • Oct 6 Sunday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • Oct 6 Sunday
    Concert at Prague Castle - Mozart, Vivaldi and Pachelbel

    Time: 17:30
    Prague Castle, St. George's Basilica

  • Oct 6 Sunday
    Classic Spectacular

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

  • Oct 6 Sunday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 18:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Oct 6 Sunday
    Bolero, Carmina Burana

    Time: 19:00
    Spanish Synagogue

  • Oct 6 Sunday
    Prague Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra | Vivaldi - Mozart - Beethoven

    Time: 19:00
    Rudolfinum, Suk hall

  • Oct 6 Sunday
    Famous Organ Concerts

    Time: 19:00
    St. Francis Church