La Follia

Fate blessed the Italian violinist and composer Arcangelo Corelli with talent, modesty, wealthy patrons, faithful disciples and extraordinary riches. It can be said without any exaggeration that Corelli was the first world-famous composer. Yet, for all his celebrity, only a handful of works have come down to us, with the Violin Sonatas op. 5 occupying pride of place. The sonatas presented here come from the second half of that famous collection and featured music inspired by popular dance rhythms. Their infectious melodies made them popular pieces with performers of all instruments; a couple of them even entered the English dance-tune repertory. The relatively simple nature of these movements provides scope for all sorts of ornamentation and improvisation. Prior to the making of this disc, recorded during three inspired days in Copenhagens Garnisons Kirke, Michala Petri and Mahan Esfahani consulted virtually every available source for their inspiration, but once the tape was rolling, they gave free rein to their boundless creativity and virtuosity and let the excitement of their music making determine the final outcome. This is artistry of the highest order: a meeting of creative mind and celebration of life. Indeed, Corelli has come out the winner once again. How lucky can a man get?