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 Six published sets are authentically attributed to Corelli, along with a few unpublished works.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

  • May 9 Friday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • May 9 Friday
    The Four Seasons, Gypsy Airs op.20

    Time: 17:00
    Municipal House (Obecní dům), Gregr Hall

  • May 9 Friday
    World famous compositions by world famous composers

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

  • May 9 Friday
    Classic Spectacular in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 18:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • May 9 Friday
    Famous Organ Concerts

    Time: 19:00
    St. Francis Church

  • May 9 Friday
    Classic Spectacular

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

  • May 9 Friday
    Gala Opera and Balet in Municipal House

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

  • May 9 Friday
    Cosmic Cabinet

    Time: 20:00
    Image - Black Light Theatre

  • May 9 Friday
    WOW Show

    Time: 20:00
    WOW - Black Light Theatre

  • May 9 Friday
    The Four Seasons, Emperor Concerto & Chopin in Mirror Chapel with piano

    Time: 20:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • May 10 Saturday
    Pearls of Classical Music in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 13:00
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • May 10 Saturday
    Piano recital in Prague Castle - Lobkowicz Palace

    Time: 16:30
    Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

  • May 10 Saturday
    Famous organ works and duets for soprano and trumpet

    Time: 17:00
    St. Nicholas Church in the Old Town Square

  • May 10 Saturday
    Vivaldi Four Seasons

    Time: 17:00
    St. Giles Church

  • May 10 Saturday
    The Best of World and Czech Music

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

  • May 10 Saturday
    Vivaldi Four Seasons in Mirror Chapel

    Time: 18:00
    Klementinum, Mirror Chapel

  • May 10 Saturday
    Mozart Dinner - Your private opera in Prague

    Time: 19:00
    Boccaccio Ballroom

  • May 10 Saturday
    Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

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

  • May 10 Saturday
    Classic Spectacular

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

  • May 10 Saturday
    Famous Organ Concerts

    Time: 19:00
    St. Francis Church