Mr Corelli in London: arrangements by Geminiani

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Steger nicely sets the scene, telling of England’s obsession with Corelli’s music and of the convivial societies of amateurs who would gather in smoke-filled rooms to play it...Steger’s playing... — Sunday Times, 18th April 2010, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 29th Mar 2010
Catalogue No: HMU907523
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Length: 70 minutes

Corelli: Concerto per Flauto No. 10 in F Major

Work length13:49

$5.00

$6.50

Maurice Steger, The English Concert, Laurence Cummings

I. Preludio (Largo)

Track length2:51

$1.00

$1.30

II. Allemanda (Allegro)

Track length1:55

$1.00

$1.30

III. Sarabanda (Largo)

Track length3:13

$1.00

$1.30

IV. Giga (Allegro)

Track length2:07

$1.00

$1.30

V. Gavotta (Allegro)

Track length3:43

$1.00

$1.30

Corelli: Concerto per Flauto No. 8 in E Minor

Work length13:36

$4.00

$5.20

Maurice Steger, The English Concert, Laurence Cummings

I. Preludio (Largo)

Track length5:09

$1.00

$1.30

II. Allemanda (Allegro)

Track length1:57

$1.00

$1.30

III. Sarabanda (Largo)

Track length4:18

$1.00

$1.30

IV. Giga (Allegro)

Track length2:12

$1.00

$1.30

Corelli: The Favorite Gigg in Corelli’s 5th Solo in G minor

Work length2:42

$1.00

$1.30

Maurice Steger, The English Concert, Laurence Cummings

Corelli: Concerto grosso after Corelli's 'La Follia' in D Minor: Theme & 25 Variations upon the Sarabanda

Work length11:21

$1.40

$2.60

Maurice Steger, The English Concert, Laurence Cummings

Corelli: Concerto per Flauto No. 4 in F Major

Work length10:21

$5.00

$6.50

Maurice Steger, The English Concert, Laurence Cummings

I. Adagio

Track length2:21

$1.00

$1.30

II. Allegro

Track length2:12

$1.00

$1.30

III. Vivace

Track length1:02

$1.00

$1.30

IV. Adagio

Track length2:48

$1.00

$1.30

V. Allegro

Track length1:58

$1.00

$1.30

Corelli: Concerto per Flauto No. 7 in D Minor

Work length8:49

$4.00

$5.20

Maurice Steger, The English Concert, Laurence Cummings

I. Preludio (Vivace)

Track length1:49

$1.00

$1.30

II. Corrente (Allegro)

Track length3:02

$1.00

$1.30

III. Sarabanda (Largo)

Track length1:56

$1.00

$1.30

IV. Giga (Allegro)

Track length2:02

$1.00

$1.30

Corelli: Ground upon the Sarabanda theme of Sonata No. 7: Sarabanda - Largo

Work length10:10

$1.40

$1.95

Maurice Steger, The English Concert, Laurence Cummings

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Recorder virtuoso Maurice Steger, deftly assisted by The English Concert and Laurence Cummings, performs a sparkling program of concertos fashioned by the English adherents of Arcangelo Corelli from the Italian master’s visionary Violin Sonatas, Op.5.

London around 1730: Although he never set foot on English soil and his compositions were already half a century old, Corelli was the absolute darling of London’s society. The musicians close to Handel soon realised that they were far more likely to succeed if they incorporated Corelli’s themes as opposed to only performing their own works. Variations on Corelli and new versions of his older pieces were soon de rigeur. Over the course of the next few years, Corelli’s violin sonatas Opus 5 were complemented by large numbers of virtuoso adaptations. This music corresponded perfectly to the musical taste of the times and although originally composed for the violin, the sonatas were soon performed in almost every conceivable instrumentation.

In today’s popular music, it’s called a cover version; back then it was standard practice. Well-known melodies are used and adapted to the player’s technical abilities and the prevailing trends of the times. Francesco Geminiani, James Paisible, Pietro Castrucci,

John Loeillet, William Babell and Robert Valentine are just a few composers who adapted Corelli’s music and through variations, ornamentations and orchestrations left their mark on the originals. Francesco Geminiani’s orchestral version of the Opus 5 sonatas serves as the basis for Maurice Steger’s current project. The recorder soloist uses this beautiful fabric of sound to perform the original variations, which survived as handwritten sheet music. They come to life as wonderful lyrical or virtuoso adaptations that sometimes test the boundaries of what is technically possible.

Reviews

18th April 2010

Steger nicely sets the scene, telling of England’s obsession with Corelli’s music and of the convivial societies of amateurs who would gather in smoke-filled rooms to play it...Steger’s playing is unfailingly seductive; the English Concert under Cummings is equally delectable.

The Independent on Sunday 11th April 2010

Steger's performance is a thrilling hybrid, dazzlingly embellished yet pure and true of tone. The English Concert match Steger's élan, with glorious solos from the ensemble.

Mr Corelli in London

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