A sequence of theatrical flourishes by the full ensemble, answered by twittering figures in the solo group, announces this concerto's opening Vivace movement. After this introduction, the material veers dramatically from a bright, quick section in imitative counterpoint to a brief Adagio passage. This is interrupted by the return of the opening flourishes, now in the comparatively stern key of C major; next comes the Allegro section again, but now the concertino group ends the movement with a Largo passage.

A separate Allegro follows, full of the fugal imitation of which Corelli was so fond. After this, hesitant, slow, widely spaced chords introduce this concerto's third movement. This transitional Grave section leads to the movement's main matter, an Andante largo featuring the full ensemble. Dramatic pauses near the end interrupt the music's flow, but all is well in the final Allegro, a sprightly dance-like movement dominated by the concertino group.

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