Arcangelo Corelli

Arcangelo Corelli (b. 1653–d. 1713) composed just six published opuses of instrumental music (trio sonatas, solo sonatas, and concerti grossi), plus a handful of pieces published without opus number or that survive in manuscript. Each genre is divided between works with dance movements (da camera, that is, suited for chamber performance) and those without (not bearing any designation but presumed to be da chiesa, that is, suited for church performance). A native of the town of Fusignano, near Bologna, Corelli pursued his career as a violinist, composer, and ensemble leader in...

Arcangelo Corelli (b. 1653–d. 1713) composed just six published opuses of instrumental music (trio sonatas, solo sonatas, and concerti grossi), plus a handful of pieces published without opus number or that survive in manuscript. Each genre is divided between works with dance movements (da camera, that is, suited for chamber performance) and those without (not bearing any designation but presumed to be da chiesa, that is, suited for church performance). A native of the town of Fusignano, near Bologna, Corelli pursued his career as a violinist, composer, and ensemble leader in Rome, where he thrived under the patronage of the city’s most avid music supporters: Queen Christina of Sweden, Cardinal Benedetto Pamphili, and Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni. His influence as both composer and virtuoso violinist, however, has been profound. The genres in which he composed were treated as exemplars by his contemporaries, and the style of melodic ornamentation that he applied to his solo violin sonatas furnishes an invaluable example of Baroque-era improvisatory practices. Scholarship on his life, works, and influence includes complete works editions, several book-length studies, and numerous articles.