Corelli: Complete Concerti Grossi Op. 6, Nos. 1-12

These recordings date from the mid-1960s, as I recall, and so they are not "historically-informed" performances. But that's not necessarily a deficiency. I'm not a musician or a musicologist, but the reviewer who notes that the readings are romanticized is right, I think: it may in part be the close recording, but the sound is big-band Corelli with a certain plushness. On the other hand, we know that Corelli's concerti grossi were performed by quite large ensembles in his time, and a period-instrument group (Ensemble 415 with Chiara Banchini) in fact recorded the complete Op. 6 with as many as 40 instrumentalists. I can't agree with the reviewer who says these performances are marked by "sluggish pace and interpretation." They are in my view impeccably taut performances that capture superbly the play of emotion that makes these works so distinctive. I find the tempi ideal: the fast movements gleam and the adagios never sag. I've heard a number of fine competing versions--Marriner, Pinnock, Banchini, and Krcek--but this is my preferred recording of Op. 6. I first heard these performances on Philips Festivo LPs back in the mid-1970s, and I wasn't able to get this CD set until a few years ago. Since then, I have given the set to several of my friends, all of whom have said that they love it. If Corelli has a special place in your heart, you should hear these performances!

I bought the album 40 years ago and played it while I would study. This CD brought the sparkle back to the music and it is now back to the clarity I used to know; hundreds of hours of a diamond needle on vinyl takes its toll. Wonderful music and good to listen to as background or for a focused listen.

Some have categorized this recording as "romantic," but those of us who are a bit older will remember when I Musici represented an informed approach to Baroque music. If your taste runs to the more asthmatic sounds of period instruments, you might find this recording a bit too ripe, but I'd characterize it more as robust and lush. The bottom line is that this ensemble's musicianship is impeccable, the playing vibrant and joyful, and the sound is luscious. I can enjoy an "original instrument" performance as well, but I'd hate to give up the kind of gorgeous music-making this ensemble invariably delivers. It's far and away my favorite Corelli recording. (By the way, when will Amazon's data-entry people learn how to recognize who the composer is on a recording? Enzo Altobelli is merely the cellist in the concertino group.)

Sadly, this is out of print, so I grabbed it when I saw it to replace one that had gotten too scratched to play anymore. I know that other groups have done Corelli's concerti grosso, but this is the one that I know the best and love to pieces.

This is a great recording of Corelli's Op. 6. I Musici as usual shines. There are other versions available (that are more expensive, too), but this one is the best one out there. The sound is crisp, the playing fluid and lively, and the overall sound quality nice and clear.Corelli is one of the big names in Baroque music, so he shouldn't be overlooked. If you're serious about building up your Baroque library, then you should consider including this recording in your collection. I own a number of discs featuring the talents of I Musici, and this 2-disc set ranks right up there with their finest recordings.

This is golden from the baroque era. Corelli inspires and leaves one spellbound by the pwerful melodies

It was the Op. 6 No. 8 "Christmas" concerto that first attracted me to Corelli. I join the other reviewers who consider this to be their favorite recoding of Op. 6. Emotion is essential to good music. Some of the 'historically accurate' recordings strip the emotion from the music. But I Musici gives the "Christmas concerto,' and the others as well, the warmth and and serenity they deserve. Get it while you still can!

I classify this is beautiful, slightly Romanticized Corelli Concerti grossi with a large chamber orchestra. The Swiss/Italian ensemble I Musici (without conductor) plays very well in these late 1960s recordings of Corelli's most famous, most often recorded works. Sometimes their allegro movement tempos are a little slower than we are used to hearing today: compare Pinnock/English Concert, in their 1988 recording, but they are well recorded and well played.I especially like the rich full string sound in slower movements. I Musici's players take their time to make points, and have near perfect ensemble. This is how I imagine Bruno Walter (1876-1962) would conduct Corelli's Opus 6, had he recorded this music late in his career: it is rich, warm, and far from the period instrument recordings being made over the past 15 years. (There is a 1930s recording of Walter conducting the "Christmas" Concerto grosso, No. 8 in G minor, on Dutton).My favorite Concertos in this collection are No. 4 in D Major, and the "Christmas" Concerto, No. 8 in g minor. Not all are as memorable as these, but they have great tunes which will move you. I also like Trevor Pinnock/English Concert, for period instrument Corelli Op. 6 (DG Archiv) and Adrian Shepherd/Cantilena (Chandos) for a modern chamber orchestra, but I really like this, too. I Musici does the job very well: highly recommended.

コレッリの作品６の全曲盤です。１２曲のうち、第８番のクリスマス協奏曲が有名ですが、他も美しい曲ばかりです。往年の名合奏団イ・ムジチによる演奏は、明るくのびやかで、言うことありません。