Concerto in G minor, Op. 6 No. 8 “Christmas”

The Medical College of Wisconsin Orchestra
Winter 2023 Concert
Arcangelo Corelli: Concerto in G minor, Op. 6 No. 8 “Christmas”
Vivace-Grave
Allegro
Adagio-Allegro-Adagio
Vivace
Allegro
Largo, Pastorale ad libitum
Concertato: David Cao and Maya Blau, violins - Karina Bursch, cello
Conducted by: Alexander Mandl, DMA
Corelli’s public had long awaited the publication of his sixth and last opus of concertos, but Corelli, a perfectionist, took his time choosing and revising them. Some may have been written as early as 1682 and are thus among the earliest concertos “grosso” composed. His ill health prevented final preparations, and three days before he died, he entrusted the planned Opus 6 to Fornari, his student and assistant, who had them published at last in 1714. Of the twelve, the eighth in G minor is the most widely known. The subtitle “Christmas Concerto” stems from Corelli’s own inscription on the title page: “Fatto per la notte di natale” (written for Christmas Eve). Like all the Opus 6 works, the Christmas Concerto is a concerto grosso, which contrasts and alternates a solo group of performers (solo or concertino) with a larger ensemble (tutti or ripieno). “Tutti” signifies that all join in, including the concertino. In Corelli’s concertos the concertino was usually performed by two violins and basso continuo (keyboard and supporting bass instrument) giving the texture of a trio sonata, from which Corelli’s concerto-grosso form grew.