Corellimania: Concerti Grossi (CD)

Corelli's Concerti grossi attained great fame already during his lifetime and were models for numerous European composers – especially in England, enthusiasm for his works assumed the characteristics of a true "mania". In Rome, contemporary colleagues and critics were particularly struck by their unusually large ensembles. In contemporary sources which go into precise detail concerning the performing musicians, one also finds references to the expansion of the orchestra by two trumpets and one trombone. The otherwise well-known works of Corelli are rarely heard in this expansive, brilliant orchestration. Harmonie Universelle now aims to fill this gap with the present recording.

Alongside Corelli's Concerti grossi, Op. 6 Nos. 1, 4 and 7 in the version for trumpets and trombone, other concerti grossi can be heard by Locatelli, Geminiani und Mossi, composed without exception under the influence of their model Corelli and supplemented by an unknown Double Concerto by Antonio Vivaldi. As already demonstrated in their outstanding Vivaldi recording (ACC 24266), the interpretations of Harmonie Universelle are particularly distinguished for their richly colourful continuo group, their spirited but never gruff fast movements as well as dreamily floating slow movements.

A highly promising outlook for the Corelli Year 2013!