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 Six published sets are authentically attributed to Corelli, along with a few unpublished works.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

  • Apr 25 Friday
    Sinatra Tribute – show and dinner

    Time: 19:00
    Art Restaurant Manes

  • Apr 25 Friday
    Famous Organ Concerts

    Time: 19:00
    St. Francis Church

  • Apr 25 Friday
    Classic Spectacular

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

  • Apr 25 Friday
    Music From Movies

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

  • Apr 25 Friday
    Afrikania

    Time: 20:00
    Image - Black Light Theatre

  • Apr 25 Friday
    WOW Show

    Time: 21:30
    WOW - Black Light Theatre

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Piano recital in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 16:30
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Vivaldi Four Seasons

    Time: 17:00
    St. Giles Church

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    The Best of World and Czech Music

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

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    World famous compositions by world famous composers

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

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 18:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Mozart Dinner - Your private opera in Prague

    Time: 19:00
    Boccaccio Ballroom

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

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

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Classic Spectacular

    Time: 19:00
    Church of Our Lady before Tyn (Tyn Church)

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Famous Organ Concerts

    Time: 19:00
    St. Francis Church

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Classic Spectacular

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

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    Strauss, Mozart, Dvorak & Opera with Ballet

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

  • Apr 26 Saturday
    The Best of Image

    Time: 20:00
    Image - Black Light Theatre

  • Apr 27 Sunday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace