Arcangelo Corelli: 'Allegro' (flute trio).

   • willie-whistleblower  

The luminescent Allegro from Corelli's Sonata a Tre, Opus 1 No 1, composed in 1681.
With parental consents

Arcangelo Corelli (1653 –1713) was an Italian composer and violinist of the Baroque era. His music was key in the development of the modern genres of sonata and concerto, in establishing the pre-eminence of the violin, and as the first coalescing of modern tonality and functional harmony.

He was trained in Bologna and Rome (where he developed most of his career, thanks to the protection of influentual patrons). His entire production is limited to just six collections of published works, five of them consisting of Trio Sonatas or solos and one of Concerti grossi; nonethess his innovative genius ensured him fame and a lasting name in musical history.

His writing is admired for its balance and refinement and its sumptuous and original harmonies. The richness of his textures combines with his musical theatricality and with his clear, expressive and melodious polyphony. He epitomises many of the classical ideals, while still belonging full square in the baroque era. He ventures to explore the dynamic and expressive contrasts of the later 'classical' idioms, yet retains his sense of moderation. In terms of expression and structure, he was the first composer to apply fully the new tonal system, after its two hundred year gestation.
As a virtuoso violinist he was considered among the greatest of his generation and with his teaching of modern playing techniques, he and his many disciples scattered throughout Europe, helped establish the violin as a leading solo instruments and in doing so accelerated the evolution of the orchestral playing.

A dominant figure in Roman musical life and internationally revered he became known as "the new Orpheus", He required what today would be 'rock star' fame which continued even after his death. To this day his work enjoys a voluminous critical bibliography and his sonatas are still widely used for teaching purposes in music academies. His compositions abound in today's concert repertoire . His ranking in western music is assured by its mastery of the Baroque idiom and its heralding in of 'Classicism'.