Corelli, Arcangelo

1653-1713

Arcangelo Corelli was an Italian composer, violinist and violin teacher of the Baroque period.

He is remembered mainly as the founder of modern violin technique and the father of the Concerto Grosso.

Between 1681 and 1694, Corelli published 48 Trio Sonatas.

Corelli's 12 Violin Sonatas Opus 5 were published in Rome in 1700.

They include 6 sonatas da chiesa (church sonatas) and 6 sonatas da camera (chamber sonatas) for violin and basso continuo.

The Trio Sonata is a musical form written for two solo melodic instruments (usually two violins) and basso continuo (usually cello and harpsichord). It thus has three parts played by four players.

The Trio Sonata is at the origin of the Concerto Grosso, in which the concertino group of 4 instrumentists is contrasted to the full string orchestra.