Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713) played a pivotal role in shaping the history of music. His influence during the High Baroque era left a lasting impact on instrumental compositions and his distinctive style came to define instrumental music of that era. Undoubtedly, his standardisation and popularisation of certain musical forms, most notably the succession of movement types in Sonate da Camera and Sonate da Chiesa, contributed to what became known as the ‘Corellian’ manner. Yet, what truly set Corelli apart was his unique compositional approach of organising musical phrases and motives in a way that was deeply rooted in the expressive capabilities of his chosen instrument, the violin.

In this exploration of the 18th century’s ‘Corelli Craze’, the talented trio of Mahan Esfahani, Hille Perl, and Michala Petri unite to unravel Corelli’s profound influence on the musical legacies of Bach, Händel, and Telemann, and of course two works from the pen of the celebrated Italian Master himself.