Baroque Era: Important Composers, Theorists, and Performers: Corelli and Buxtehude
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713, Italian)
Listen to Corelli: Concerto Grosso Op. 6/9 in F:
Arcangelo Corelli was a very influential musician from his time, known both as a violinist and a Baroque composer. Many considered Corelli the "Father of Modern Violin Technique," as he was the point of reference for almost all eighteenth century violinists/composers. As a composer, his use of specific cadences spread through Europe to influence many others including Bach, who based an organ fugue on one of Corelli’s pieces.
Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707, German/Danish)
Listen to the example below:
Dietrich Buxtehude was formally taught by his father—an organist and schoolmaster. His primary employer was Marienkirche (a church) in Helsingborg, Denmark. He succeeded Franz Tunder, who upon his death, Buxtehude was required to marry Tunder’s daughter in order to secure his employment. He was a master composer of keyboard works. Handel and Bach both traveled far to hear him play. When he neared retirement, a successor was sought. Both Bach and Handel declined the position due to the nature of marriage to Buxtehude’s daughter as a requirement for employment. Buxtehude’s music was only rediscovered in the 1800s.
