Concerto grosso Op. 6 n°8 - Pour la nuit de Noël

About this work

The Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6 No. 8, is built on shifts of scale: two violins and a cello form the concertino, while the ripieno strings enlarge or extend their gestures. Corelli links six contrasting sections, some only a few bars long. The famous closing Pastorale therefore does not appear from nowhere; its calm sway answers everything the preceding movements have gathered in tension, echo and motion.

In rehearsal, first identify who launches each motif and who answers it. The full ensemble's replies should retain the soloists' articulation rather than simply becoming louder. The continuo provides the harmonic ground, but the bass players should lighten the upbeats so that the upper strings can breathe. In rapid exchanges, rehearse without added vibrato and agree clearly on bow strokes.

The Pastorale needs a supple pulse in compound metre. Bring out the two main beats and let the smaller notes circulate within them; accents on every subdivision would make the Nativity scene unexpectedly military. Cadences may broaden with restraint, after which the movement must resume together. The final contrast works best if the preceding Allegro retains all its vitality.

What the document containsOne 15-page full score and four separate string parts.5 PDF documents collected in an archive.One 14-track MIDI file.The documented forces are the concertino, strings and continuo.