Concerto piccolo

Concerto Piccolo offers a fresh perspective on Italian Baroque music, reimagining violin pieces with continuo. One of the most distinctive musical forms of the period was the concerto grosso, widely developed by Corelli. Through our unique instrumentation — two celli, one of which a cello piccolo — we give these intimate sonatas a new character, transforming them into miniature or ‘piccoli’ Concerti Grossi.

The programme explores the sound world of late 17th and early 18th century Rome, featuring composers such as Arcangelo Corelli, Alessandro Stradella, Giuseppe Valentini, and Giovanni Bononcini. Their distinctive style defined the Roman school and influenced musicians across Europe. A notable example is Geminiani, a devoted admirer of Corelli, who later based his own Concerti Grossi on Corelli’s Sonate da camera op. 5.

ALESSANDRO STRADELLA (1643-1682)

Sinfonia Nº 5 in a minor for two violins and basso (transcription for violin, violoncello piccolo and cello)

GIUSEPPE VALENTINI (1681-1753)

Allentamento da camera in b minor, Op. 8, No. 2: I. Largo II. Allegro III. Adagio IV. Allegro V. Vivace

GIOVANNI BONONCINI (1670-1747) (sometimes attr. To Giovanni Maria Bononcini)

Selection from Ayres in 3 parts for 2 violins and continuo

FRANCESCO GEMINIANI (1687-1762)

Sonata for violin and basso continuo Op.4 Nº 5 in a minor: I. Andante II. Presto III. Allegro Affetuoso

NICOLA MATTEIS (1650- 1714)

Selection of pieces from Book I of Ayres for the Violin

ARCANGELO CORELLI (1653-1713)

Sonata for violin and Violone or Cembalo Op.5, Nº 10 in F major: I. Preludio. Adagio II. Allemanda. Allegro III. Sarabanda. Largo IV. Gavotta. Allegro V. Giga. Allegro

FRANCESCO GEMINIANI (1687-1762) (attrib.)

Chaconne upon the Sarabanda Theme from Corelli’s Violins Sonata Opus 5 No.7