Geminiani: Concerti Grossi Op.2 & 3

Today, Geminiani’s Concerti Grossi remain a staple of early music ensembles, highlighting Geminiani’s role as a key figure in transmitting and transforming the Italian Baroque tradition for an international audience.

Composer: Francesco Geminiani
Artist：L'Archicembalo: Marcello Bianchi , Marco Pesce, Paola Nervi & Vittoria Panato (violins), Elena Saccomandi (viola), Claudio Merlo (cello), Matteo Cicchitti (violone), Daniela Demicheli (harpsichord)

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Francesco Saverio Geminiani (1687-1762), born in Lucca, began his study at an early age with his father, but his most important lessons followed in his years with the great Roman Master, Arcangelo Corelli. Composition lessons with Alessandro Scarlatti helped inspire and solidify his craft. In 1714 Geminiani settled in London, where he quickly gained fame as an ensemble player, concert violinist, and teacher. Here he became friends with Handel and led the orchestra during many performances together. Geminiani enjoyed great success not only in London, but also in Ireland where he spent a considerable amount of time. In 1760 he settled in Dublin, dying there in somewhat impoverished circumstances in 1762.
Geminiani's playing was distinguished by its great expressiveness, richness of dynamic coloring, extraordinary liveliness, and a strong temperament. Tartini tellingly called Geminiani "il furibondo” – the furious one!
Among his most significant contributions to the Baroque concerto repertoire are his Concerti grossi Opp. 2 and 3, published in 1732 and 1733 respectively. These sets each consist of six concertos and follow the model established by Corelli, particularly his Concerti grossi Op.6. However, Geminiani’s works are more expansive and harmonically adventurous. They often feature intricate contrapuntal writing and dramatic contrasts between the concertino (the group of solo instruments) and the ripieno (full ensemble), a hallmark of the concerto grosso form.
Op.2 is notable for its lyrical elegance and refined structure, while Op.3 reveals a bolder, more expressive style, perhaps reflecting Geminiani’s growing independence from Corelli’s shadow. These works were not only designed for public concert performance but also for teaching and domestic music-making, showing Geminiani’s skill in balancing artistic depth with accessibility.
Geminiani’s Concerti Grossi were well-received in his time and continued to be admired for their rich textures and expressive power. They exemplify the late Baroque ideal of merging virtuosity with emotional intensity.

Concerto Grosso No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 2:
00:00:00 I. Andante
00:02:22 II. Allegro
00:04:30 III. Adagio
00:05:32 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 2:
00:07:26 I. Adagio
00:09:30 II. Allegro
00:11:34 III. Adagio
00:13:19 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 2:
00:16:45 I. Presto
00:19:02 II. Adagio
00:21:57 III. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 4 in D Major, Op. 2:
00:23:43 I. Andante
00:26:00 II. Allegro
00:28:06 III. Adagio
00:29:09 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 2:
00:31:00 I. Grave
00:32:20 II. Allegro
00:35:18 III. Adagio
00:36:11 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 6 in A Major, Op. 2:
00:38:15 I. Andante
00:39:59 II. Allegro
00:41:47 III. Adagio
00:42:30 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 1 in D Major, Op. 3:
00:45:25 I. Adagio
00:47:22 II. Allegro
00:50:40 III. Adagio
00:52:14 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 3:
00:54:42 I. Largo e staccato
00:56:12 II. Allegro
00:58:22 III. Adagio
01:00:57 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 3 in E Minor, Op. 3:
01:04:41 I. Adagio e staccato
01:05:24 II. Allegro
01:07:32 III. Adagio
01:09:47 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 3:
01:13:25 I. Largo e staccato
01:15:28 II. Allegro-Largo-Allegro
01:18:55 III. Vivace

Concerto Grosso No. 5 in B-Flat Major, Op. 3:
01:21:07 I. Adagio
01:22:20 II. No Tempo Indication
01:24:21 III. Adagio
01:26:54 IV. Allegro

Concerto Grosso No. 6 in E Minor, Op. 3:
01:28:40 I. Adagio
01:31:31 II. Allegro-Adagio-Allegro
01:34:36 III. Adagio
01:35:46 IV. Allegro