Giuseppe Torelli (1650-1708); ITA

Giuseppe Torelli (1658–1709) was an Italian violinist and composer born in Verona and active principally in Bologna. He became a member of Bologna’s prestigious Accademia Filarmonica in 1684 and joined the orchestra of the Basilica of San Petronio. After that ensemble was temporarily disbanded, he travelled and worked elsewhere in Europe before returning to Bologna, where he spent his final years.

Torelli was an important figure in the development of the late-Baroque concerto, particularly the solo concerto and concerto grosso. He wrote sonatas, sinfonias, concertos, and works for trumpet and strings, exploiting the brilliant possibilities of the trumpet with unusual imagination. His posthumously published collection of Concerti grossi con una pastorale per il Santissimo Natale, Op. 8 includes concertos for solo violin as well as ensemble works. His clear differentiation between soloist and orchestra helped prepare the way for the mature concerto style of Vivaldi.

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Read biography at allmusic.com.