Corelli, Arcangelo (1653–1713)

Italian composer and violinist. Living at a time when the viol was being replaced by the violin, he was one of the first virtuoso players of the baroque violin, and his music, marked by graceful melody, includes a set of concerti grossi and five sets of chamber sonatas.

Born in Fusignano, near Milan, he studied in Bologna and in about 1685 settled in Rome, under the patronage of Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, where he lived at the palace of his patron and published his first violin sonatas. He visited Modena and Naples, conducted at the Roman residence of Queen Christina of Sweden, collected pictures, and taught many violin pupils, including Francesco Geminiani and Pietro Locatelli. Corelli's music is richer in contrapuntal and harmonic interest than that of any other Italian baroque master, and has been admired for the poise, balance, and brilliance of its style.

Works a set of 12 Concerti grossi Op. 6, including no. 8 in G minor, ‘fatto per la notte di Natale’ (Christmas); five sets of chamber sonatas.