Arcangelo Corelli Essentials

With his 12 concerti grossi, the 17th-century Italian composer Arcangelo Corelli created a model that influenced orchestral music for generations to come. Setting a small group of soloists against a string orchestra, Corelli’s concertos create a tapestry of drama, wit and textural variety, and were hugely admired and imitated by composers including Vivaldi and Handel. This playlist showcases these remarkable works, but also the more intimate sonata da chiesa a tre, violin sonatas and trios that reveal Corelli to be a highly original master craftsman.