Concerto grosso Op. 6, No. 8 (5/6)

Christmas Concerto - Per la notte di natale - Allegro

This lively Allegro in G minor is the fifth of six movements in Arcangelo Corelli's Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8.

This Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 by Arcangelo Corelli is commonly known as his Christmas Concerto, because it bears the inscription Fatto per la notte di Natale ["Composed for the night of Christmas"].

It was commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni and published posthumously in 1714 as part of the Twelve concerti grossi, Op. 6.

The Christmas Concerto was composed around 1690, since there is a record of Corelli having that year performed a Christmas concerto for the enjoyment of his then-new patron.

The concerto was originally scored for an ensemble consisting of two concertino violins and cello, ripieno strings and continuo.

The work is structured as a concerto da chiesa, in this case expanded from a typical four movement structure to six movements :

1. Vivace, 3/4 -- Grave. Arcate, sostenuto e come stà, 4/2


2. Allegro, common time


3. Adagio -- Allegro -- Adagio, common time, E-flat major


4. Vivace, 3/4


5. Allegro, cut time


6. Largo. Pastorale ad libitum, 12/8, G major

Each relatively short movement features multiple tempi and a range of major and minor suspensions.

The complete concerto is generally no longer than fifteen minutes, ending with Corelli's famous Pastorale, a peaceful 12/8 finale in the pastorale form.

This score is an arrangement for two violins with piano accompaniment.

The violin parts are appropriate for Grade 4 violin students.

The violin I part can be played entirely in the first position.

The violin II part is to be played in the first and third positions.

Duration : 03:08

Source : Arcangelo Corelli, 12 Concerti grossi, Op. 6 (Amsterdam, 1714).