DISC: 1

1. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": I. Vivace – Grave

2. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": II. Allegro

3. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": III. Adagio – Allegro – Adagio

4. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": IV. Vivace

5. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": Va. Allegro

6. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": Vb. Pastorale. Largo

7. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 8 No. 6 "Pastorale Per Il Santissimo Natale": I. Grave – Vivace

8. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 8 No. 6 "Pastorale Per Il Santissimo Natale": II. Largo

9. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 8 No. 6 "Pastorale Per Il Santissimo Natale": III. Vivace

10. Violin Concerto In E Major, Rv 270 "Il Riposo, Per Il Santissimo Natale": I. Allegro

11. Violin Concerto In E Major, Rv 270 "Il Riposo, Per Il Santissimo Natale": II. Adagio

12. Violin Concerto In E Major, Rv 270 "Il Riposo, Per Il Santissimo Natale": III. Allegro

13. Concerto Grosso In C Major, Op. 3 No. 12 "Christmas Pastorale": I. Largo

14. Concerto Grosso In C Major, Op. 3 No. 12 "Christmas Pastorale": II. Largo

15. Concerto Grosso In C Major, Op. 3 No. 12 "Christmas Pastorale": III. Allegro

16. Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": I. Largo – Grave

17. Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": II. Vivace – Adagio

18. Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": III. Grave – Adagio

19. Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": IV. Largo Andante

20. Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": V. Andante – Adagio

21. Concerto Grosso In F Minor, Op. 1 No. 8 "Christmas Concerto": VI. Pastorale Ad Libitum

More Info:

Christmas celebrations are thought to go all the way back to the formidable feasting of the Vikings at midwinter, when in true Nordic fashion yuletide was ‘toasted in’. The celebration of the birth in Bethlehem is more subdued and spiritual, but it is of a far more recent date. We do not know if the Vikings celebrated yuletide with music, but music at Christmas has been a popular tradition since the Middle Ages. Today, practically all peoples around the world celebrate midwinter with special religious and cultural rituals; the precise times vary, but gifts, decorations, festivities, candles, bells and special Christmas music are apparently always part of this. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Christmas was the busiest time of the year for church composers. The congregation expected to hear new Christmas music in church which often involved instruments, choirs and soloists. Here you’ll hear the Concerto Grosso – starting with A. Corellis version becoming template for the composers G. Torelli, A. Vivaldi, F. Manfredini and P. Locatelli following the trend of music concertos for Christmas Celebrations.