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 Six published sets are authentically attributed to Corelli, along with a few unpublished works.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

  • Feb 21 Friday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 17:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Feb 21 Friday
    Classic Spectacular

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

  • Feb 21 Friday
    The Best of Classics

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

  • Feb 21 Friday
    Abrakadabra

    Time: 20:00
    Image - Black Light Theatre

  • Feb 21 Friday
    WOW Show

    Time: 21:30
    WOW - Black Light Theatre

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    The Best of Czech and World Music

    Time: 15:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    Vivaldi Four Seasons

    Time: 16:30
    St. Giles Church

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    The Best of World and Czech Music

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

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 17:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    GREAT MUSIC IN A GREAT SPACE

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

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    Mozart Dinner - Your private opera in Prague

    Time: 19:00
    Boccaccio Ballroom

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

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

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    Sinatra Tribute – show and dinner

    Time: 19:00
    Art Restaurant Manes

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    The Four Seasons, Emperor Concerto & Chopin in Mirror Chapel with piano

    Time: 19:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    Afrikania

    Time: 20:00
    Image - Black Light Theatre

  • Feb 22 Saturday
    The Best of Swan Lake - P. I. Tchaikovsky

    Time: 21:30
    Broadway Theatre

  • Feb 23 Sunday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • Feb 23 Sunday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 17:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Feb 23 Sunday
    Bolero, Carmina Burana

    Time: 17:30
    Spanish Synagogue