Corelli – Complete Works (10 CD box set, APE)

Performer: Musica Amphion, Pieter-Jan Belder
Composer: Arcangelo Corelli
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 10 CD box set
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Brilliant Classics
Size: 3.05 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

CD1. Sonate da Chiesa a tre, opus I
Sonate 1 in F major
Sonate 2 in E minor
Sonate 3 in A major
Sonate 4 in A minor
Sonate 5 in B flat major
Sonate 6 in B minor
Sonate 7 in C major
Sonate 8 in C minor
Sonate 9 in G major
Sonate 10 in G minor
Sonate 11 in D minor
Sonate 12 in D major

CD02. Sonate da Camera a tre, opus II
Sonate 1 in D major
Sonate 2 in D minor
Sonate 3 in C major
Sonate 4 in E minor
Sonate 5 in B flat major
Sonate 6 in G minor
Sonate 7 in F major
Sonate 8 in B minor

CD03. Sonate da Camera a tre, opus II, Sonate a Quattro in D major, Sonate Postume
Sonate 9 in F sharp minor
Sonate 10 in E major
Sonate 11 in E flat major
Sonate 12 in G major
Sonate a Quattro in D major (WoO 4)
Sonate a Tre in A major (WoO 5)
Sonate a Tre in D major (WoO 6)
Sonate a Tre in D major (WoO 7)
Sonate a Tre in D major (WoO 8)

CD04. Sonate da Chiesa a tre, opus III
Sonate 1 in F major
Sonate 2 in D major
Sonate 3 in B-flat major
Sonate 4 in B minor
Sonate 5 in D minor
Sonate 6 in G major
Sonate 7 in E minor
Sonate 8 in C major
Sonate 9 in F minor

CD05. Sonate da Chiesa a tre, opus III & IV
Sonate 10 in A minor
Sonate 11 in G minor
Sonate 12 in A major
Sonate 1 in C major
Sonate 2 in G minor
Sonate 3 in A major
Sonate 4 in D major
Sonate 5 in A minor
Sonate 6 in E major

CD06. Sonate de Camera a tre, op. IV 7-12 + WoO
Sonate 7 in F major
Sonate 8 in D minor
Sonate 9 in B flat major
Sonate 10 in G major
Sonate 11 in C minor
Sonate 12 in B minor
Sonate a Tre in G minor (WoO 9)
Sonate a Tre in G minor (WoO 10)

CD07. Sonate a violino e violoncello o cimbalo, op. V 1-6
Sonate 1 in D major
Sonate 2 in B flat major
Sonate 3 in C major
Sonate 4 in F major
Sonate 5 in G minor
Sonate 6 in A major

CD08. Sonate a violino e violoncello o cimbalo, op. V 7-11, Follia
Sonate 7 in D minor
Sonate 8 in E minor
Sonate 9 in A major
Sonate 10 in F majo
Sonate 11 in E major

CD09. Concerti Grossi, op. VI 1-7
Concerto 1 in D major
Concerto 2 in F major
Concerto 3 in C minor
Concerto 4 in D major
Concerto 5 in B flat major
Concerto 6 in F major
Concerto 7 in D major

CD10. Concerti Grossi, op. VI 8-12
Concerto 8 in G minor
Concerto 9 in F major
Concerto 10 in C major
Concerto 11 in B flat major
Concerto 12 in F major
Sinfonia (WoO 1)
Sonata a Quattro (WoO 2)

Brilliant Corelli from lesser known Dutch musicians: a great bargain

Brilliant Classics 10 disc compendium of the complete works of Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) is a bargain. The performances are by members of Musica Amphion, a Dutch period instrument orchestra, conducted from the harpsichord by Pieter Jan Belder.

These may be lesser known musicians, but their performances are excellent, and this set is consistently good, and a wonderful bargain, at under $40.00.

This is my first recordings by these musicians, and I sampled the Opus 6 Concerti Grossi, Corelli’s most recorded works. Nos. 1, 4 and 8 (Christmas Concerto) do not pale in comparison with recordings of better known ensembles: I Musici (Philips),

Pinnock/English Concert (Archiv/DG), Shepherd/Cantilena (Chandos), or Krcheck/Capella Istropolitana (Naxos). Musica Amphion may be a small orchestra: about 15 players, I’m guessing, but their sound is full and rich, and though period instruments, they are expressive, and not wimpy sounding; you will not hear the scraping and noise which accompany some period recordings.

I especially like Musica Amphion’s recording of the Opus 4 Trio Sonatas: Nos. 1, 2, and 3, which hold real nostalgia for me from Max Goberman’s famous CBS Odyssey recording (on modern instruments, of course), popular on LPs in the early 1970s. I find Musica Amphion’s recording superior, both in playing and recorded sound, to the IL Ruggiero recording, released in 1995 by an Italian firm in a complete recording of Corelli’s Opus 4 Trio Sonatas.

The price is low, performances excellent, and Brilliant’s recorded sound is all one can ask for. Unless you really HATE period instruments – and these are musical, and so well played – best to grab it while you can. Highly recommended.