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CORELLI – ‘Cello’ Christmas Concerto Grosso (‘Fatto per la notte di Natale’ – 1690) – 8 CELLOS or CELLO ORCHESTRA

Other Identification:
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) wrote 12 Concerti Grossi (big concertos or concerti), a form of Baroque music wherein the musical material is passed between a small group of soloists (the concertino) and full orchestra (ripieno or tutti). The drama of a concerto grosso (big concerto) lies in the contrast between solo voices and the full ensemble. This is in contrast to the concerto, where a solo instrument has this ‘conversation’ with the rest of the ensemble.

They were written in the last two decades of Corelli’s life and first performed at his weekly concerts in Rome. Each concerto grosso is scored for a solo concertino (of two violins and cello), string orchestra and continuo. Although the form existed before him, Corelli is widely regarded as the “Father of the Concerto Grosso” for the heights he took it to.

Movements or sections:
This particular concerto manuscript bears the inscription “Fatto per la notte di Natale” (“Made for the night of Christmas” in Italian). It was commissioned by his patron Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, and was first performed at Christmas, 1690, bearing the inscription” Made for the night of Christmas.”
The concerto is made up of six short movements which alternate in tempo between fast and slow. The final movement is a serene Pastorale which suggests the nativity scene and so is the basis for the ‘Christmas’ nickname.

Instrumentation: OCTET OF CELLOS, OR CELLO ORCHESTRA
Arranged by David Johnstone

The music comes in 6 PDFs:
1 – First Part – Cellos 1 to 4
2 – First Part – Cellos 5 to 8
3 – First Part – General Score
4 – Second Part – Cellos 1 to 4
4 – Second Part – Cellos 5 to 8
4 – Second Part – General Score

Approximate difficulty: MEDIUM TO DIFFICULT
The CELLO version of David Johnstone is not for purists! The treatment of voices has been altered somewhat, and it is transposed in more comfortable cello registers. The first three voices correspond to the original concertante group (two violins and cello). The fourth voice is rather a ‘free agent’, sometimes helping out harmonically and sometimes even resembling the imagined right-hand harpsichord figures. If more than eight cellists are present, these four voices should be performed ONLY by solo players – parts 5 to 8 can be doubled freely (ideal would be 16 cellos – 4 plus 12!). There is certain difficulty in most parts, but are certainly playable by advanced students or professionals.

Dedicatee of this presentation (if applicable):
This re-working for large cello ensemble is dedicated to professional cellist and musical organizer JOANNE JEFFERIS, who has supported Johnstone’s work for a long time!

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Johnstone Music has been performed by orchestras and conservatories worldwide, earning international recognition in cello repertoire.

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