Monday, July 30, 2012

Torelli the controversial


Like most Italians known for their passionate and highly emotional character, Giuseppe Torelli is the man of his people. Same sensuality and fineness in his music. However, not all of his fellow composers or critics were steadily sticking to the same opinion. While Hutchings considered him a composer lacking originality, Apel thought he was even over-exceptional. That’s where the controversy lies. But all agree on the fact that Torelli was at certain aspects unrivalled, even by Vivaldi who came after him. He is deservedly called the inventor of the instrumental concerto and his music language is more than inimitable. Take only the wonderful operatic aria “Tu lo sai“ (“You Know”), intense, feverish and at the same time restrained and reserved. Torelli was a pioneer in inserting slow movements in his concertos, sonatas and symphonies. Besides, he was a virtuoso violinist probably ranking one of the highest performers of his time.


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