Arcangelo Corelli’s Christmas Concerto (Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8) often turns up on classical Christmas music albums. And I admit I never quite understood why. To my ears, there wasn’t anything especially Christmassy about it. That’s what makes this release so welcome. The liner notes explain the aesthetic behind these Italian […]
Giuseppe Torelli
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Venetian Christmas Good for All Seasons
Don’t let the title mislead you. Yes, “Venetian Christmas” is a compilation of music that was played during the Christmas season in Venice during the 1750’s. But there’s nothing that would make it sound “seasonal” to modern ears. Many of the selections feature the psaltery, an ancestor of the hammered dulcimer. The soft, warm tones […]