Francesco Xaverio Geminiani | Concerti Grossi | Selection from Op. 2, 3 and 5 | 1726-1732

Like every other violinist of his generation, at the beginning of his career Geminiani was mainly affected by the influence of Corelli. We can feel in the music of Geminiani a greater freedom in the rhythmic and thematic elaboration, which is joined by an exceptionally developed and imaginative instrumental virtuosity, which made the music difficult to perform by others. With an unusual attention to detail, his violin writing requires an unusual richness of sonority, an extension towards the high note superior to the customs of his time, and the very frequent use of a transcendental chord technique. The lack of a particularly rich melodic vein is compensated for by a harmonic and instrumental fantasy, counterbalanced by a great imagination in the instrumentation.
1. E Min Op. 3 No. 3:
00:00:00 Op. 3 No. 3 I. Adagio e staccato - Allegro
00:02:29 Op. 3 No. 3 II. Adagio
00:04:10 Op .3 No. 3 III. Allegro
2. D min Op. 2 No. 3:
00:07:38 Op. 2 No 3. I. Presto
00:09:47 Op. 2 No 3. II. Adagio
00:12:49 Op. 2 No 3. III. Allegro
3. D min Op. 3 No. 4:
00:14:38 Op. 3 No. 4 I. Largo e staccato
00:17:00 Op. 3 No. 4 II. Allegro
00:18:20 Op. 3 No. 4 III. Largo - Allegro
00:20:11 Op. 3 No. 4 IV. Vivace
4. C min Op. 2 No. 1:
00:22:17 Op. 2 No. 1 I. Andante
00:23:38 Op. 2 No. 1 II. Allegro
00:25:44 Op. 2 No. 1 III. Adagio
00:26:49 Op. 2 No. 1 IV. Allegro
5. G min Op. 3 No. 2:
00:28:22 Op. 3 No. 2 I. Largo e staccato
00:30:08 Op. 3 No. 2 II. Allegro
00:32:18 Op. 3 No. 2 III. Adagio
00:35:00 Op. 3 No. 2 IV. Allegro
6. D min Op. 2 No. 5:
00:38:09 Op. 2 No. 5 I. Adagio
00:39:14 Op. 2 No. 5 II. Allegro
00:42:00 Op. 2 No. 5 III. Andante
00:42:40 Op. 2 No. 5 IV. Allegro
7. G min after Corelli Op. 5 No. 5:
00:44:54 Op. 5 No. 5 I. Adagio
00:48:01 Op. 5 No. 5 II. Vivace
00:49:49 Op. 5 No. 5 III. Adagio
00:52:08 Op. 5 No. 5 IV. Allegro
8. D min after Corelli Op. 5 No. 7:
00:53:33 Op. 5 No. 7 I. Preludio
00:55:29 Op. 5 No. 7 II. Corrente
00:57:49 Op. 5 No. 7 III. Sarabanda
00:59:52 Op. 5 No. 7 IV. Giga
Francesco Xaverio Geminiani was born in Lucca, Italy in December 1687, to Giuliano and Angela, as can be red from the baptismal certificate dated Dec 5, 1687. The same document allows us to trace the exact spelling of Geminiani middle name (Xaverio, and not Saverio). Geminiani received musical fundamental skills from his father, violinist in the Palatine orchestra of Lucca and later he was a pupil of the Milanese composer, violinist, and singer Carlo Lonati. At the age of twenty-seven and one year after the death of his mentor Corelli, he left Italy for good.
On February 1st 1725, Geminiani was the first Italian to be initiated into Freemasonry in the “Queen's Head Lodge” in London. And in the minutes of this lodge a particular devotion to Italian music is revealed, of which Geminiani was the greatest exponent of the time. In the century that goes from the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717, well over twenty Italian composers joined Freemasonry. Most of them found in the Freemasonry the time as great stimulus for their activity to promote Chamber Music, as opposed to Opera with costs very high inevitably linked to monarchical power, and to Religious Music, the exclusive privilege of the Church. In Paris, he played his concerts for the “Concert Spirituel”, a company born within the French Masonic world a platform for other national styles, most notably Italian, that promoted musical activity in the period of Lent and religious holidays when the Opera and other opera houses were closed.
The members of the lodge were prominent and respectable lawyers of the city, wealthy merchants, and members of the lesser nobility. Their love of music was such that they were willing and able to confidently protect some of London's best musicians, not just Geminiani, who led the lodge's musical performances. The presence of Geminiani among this amateur group is surprising since he is generally regarded as the most important violinist then living in London. He was the most requested musician and most respected violin teacher of his time in the aristocratic and emerging houses of the time.
In 1726, Geminiani decided to open a "subscription" formula (one of the first concert seasons in the modern sense) to gain funds to publish the first 6 sonatas from Op.5 by Corelli (tracks# 7, 8), reworked by Geminiani in the form of a Concerti Grosso. La loggia Philomusicae decided to organize its own special events, commissioning it to Geminiani, which obtained so much luck that formula is still today the main source of income for concert halls and opera houses. He also organized a cycle of twenty concerts, using subscription proceeds for the publication of the Op.3, printed in 1732 (tracks# 1,3,5), and the Op.2 (tracks# 2,4,6), which appeared two months later. The release of these two collections, have remained the most famous and appreciated works of Geminiani.
Serbian: • Франческо Ксаверио Ђем...
Russian: • Франческо Саверио Джем...

[@RecordareDomineA415]

Continuation of the description: After London, Geminiani moved to Dublin, where still active at the age of 72, he gave his last concert and died in 1762. He was buried in the churchyard of the former parish church of Ireland, in September of 1762. Today this is the place of the Central Tourist Office in Dublin. By initiative from the Italian government organized in 1929, Geminiani's remains were brought back to his birthplace and re-interred at the Chiesa di San Francesco, beside the tomb of another famous musician and Lucca native, Luigi Boccherini. Selection from Concerti Grossi, opus 2, 3 and 5, performed by: - Europa Galante, Fabio Biondi direction: tracks# 1,5 - Auser Musici, Carlo Ipata direction: tracks# 2 - Capella Istropolitana, Jaroslav Kreček conductor: tracks# 3,6 - Kore Orchestra: track# 4 - Ensemble 415, Chiara Banchini Conductor: tracks# 7,8 Cover art: Statue of Geminiani, currently standing in Piazza Guidiccioni in Lucca, Italy. In the background: The grand staircase of the Palais Garnier, Paris opera house, situated some 900 meters from Tuileries palace where "The Enchanted Forest", a staged pantomime scored for two violins and cello with an orchestra of two trumpets, by Geminiani, was presented in 1754. Geminiani statue inaugurated in Lucca: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHfOYq2altNnaLs

[@paologioffreda5526]

🦵 🥅

[@excelsior999]

I wonder how many people take the time to reflect on the fact that so much magnificent music was composed during this period, especially compared to what we have (or DON'T have) today.

[@raffitorossian6994]

This is my first time that i am listening to Geminiani. All i can say, he is a super giant composer with melodic compositions which makes me listen to him for hours without being tired. Thanks for uploading.

[@soulsurfer_sam]

This Music heals the wounds of thousands souls may yours too . War is the lack of soul . And without soul we are a just objects .

[@spmoran4703]

Who needs war.

[@Ed_UKation]

There is some incredibly beautiful music here. Opus 3 No 3 is just sublime.

[@solcalderon6846]

Bella. Inmortal!

[@salvadorromo7670]

Una belleza de música!! El barroco destaca por su complejidad y hermosura!! Gracias por subir esta música celestial!!

[@hankdusommeil1065]

Absolutely delectable from A to Z! Thanks!!

[@RecordareDomineA415]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tanyabugaeva5308]

Упоительно!!! Спасибо, что есть возможность слушать такое на KZbin)))))

[@thomasdastillung4097]

True gem by a master. Thanks for the upload

[@DarthPreamp]

Bravo for posting this!! Geminiani was a master who wrote spectacular music.

[@asokebhaduri6723]

Really marvellous. It ennobles our soul cleanse our dry hearts 💕

[@dariogrimoldi6615]

Non lo conoscevo. Ottimo compositore, bella musica..🎶

[@jayakumarkaarikuzhy4713]

I have seen very few uploads of Geminiani's music on YTM.Till now I listened to about five music videos of Geminiani and all those were one better than the other! Nevertheless, I couldn't understand why his music was neglected- deliberately or not. Judging by the available uploads I can vouch that Geminiani's music was magnificent, wonderful.And yet his music is not getting the credit it deserves.Perhaps coming generations may appreciate Geminiani's music! Anyway, I will be the last person to look the other way when you have presented a wonderful upload of his fantastic music. Maybe your update will encourage aficionados to appreciate the beauty of Geminiani's music.Thanks for uploading.Gracias.Ciao.

[@spmoran4703]

I didnt know about this composer . Or have I listened to his work. But, his compositions are very pleasant. And I am glad you have introduced him to me.

[@nicholassgouros8612]

I didn’t either. So many amazing talents just slip through the cracks of time. But this is very beautiful and soothing indeed.

[@spmoran4703]

@@nicholassgouros8612 I agree with you . So many good composers are lost in time and rarely listened too. But, this composer is a Barouque genius as much as Vivaldi. I am going to find more of his works.

[@richardjehl1455]

Some of the very best orchestral music of this time, imaginative and rich in well-dosed contrasts. I love the picardy thirds as endings. Very well played as well...: a delight to my ear !

[@fransdegroot9778]

Nice music i likes this very much. For me it is baroque music from high above.

[@BG-xu8be]

Wonderful music, op. 3 no 2 is a real gem!

[@strelnikov6289]

This music is truly, truly inspiring. Thanks for posting!

[@RecordareDomineA415]

Tank you! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

[@papettipapetti3550]

Student of Arcangelo Corelli and about “a la par” with Handel in England One of the great geniuses from the Baroque……..

[@JoseHernandez-sv2tg]

Handel no era inglés 😅

[@shin-i-chikozima]

The solemn comfort is irreplaceable

[@florytimaru]

Marvelous!!!!🌹🌷🌹

[@CalabazaVacia]

Que hermosa melodía, los tiempos y variaciones, perfecta!

[@ferreyes2328]

Hi! Thanks to share with us, this wonderfull music. I'm from México.

[@RecordareDomineA415]

Thanks for listening

[@culturalivrosetc5259]

*Perfect! You guys always come with the perfect piece for the moment! Grazzie!*

[@-dimitris]

Excellent compilation. All the concertos are in minor mode. Amazing. Thank you.

[@HarpsichordHymnsTimRemington]

Beautiful music and a wonderful performance! I really enjoy listening to this. Thanks for sharing it!

[@xavierlemblun8446]

J adore le style de cette musique qui nous plonge dans un etrange clair obscur ....Sublime grande epoque musicale... 4:58

[@irene-dunaeva_1965]

Vous avez raison, mon ami, l'époque baroque est le summum de la perfection en musique. Il n'y a pas de telles harmonies et polyphonies dans le monde moderne. Cette musique élève l'âme, la purifie avec des larmes. Mais ce ne sont pas toujours des larmes de chagrin, parfois le soleil brille dans les demi-teintes les plus délicates, comme un éclat de lumière sur les vagues dans la baie... Cette musique sauve mon âme en ce moment, en cette période turbulente... et dans le au milieu du chaos général et d'une masse de paradoxes modernes, je vois cette lumière et je comprends qu'il y a de l'espoir pour sauver le monde qui est à l'intérieur...

[@marioescudero7103]

Gracias !

[@petebondurant58]

Superlative!

[@Nischebrod-so-ctazhem]

Благодарю за высочайшее мастерство исполнения! Эта музыка структурирует мозг и душу в наше мусорное время. А маленькая тема 20 минуты рвёт душу в клочья. Слушаю 258 раз ).

[@Jalapablo]

258 раз - это много!

[@Nischebrod-so-ctazhem]

@@Jalapablo с того времени уже гораздо больше раз!) Но у меня есть такая присказка, если чего-то много, то говорю 258 )))

[@citipol]

@@Nischebrod-so-ctazhem i like your 258. That's an intriguing number... Viva la musica.

[@tsanchezts]

Татьяна, я полностью согласна, и в тысячу раз больше, эта музыка будет продолжать трогать вашу душу. Всего хорошего.

[@sorinbuzatu4912]

.... Muzică divină... 😇😇😇😇

[@caricariconbetin]

Amazing.

[@danielwaitzman2118]

Marvelous music and playing!

[@thregar]

So good! Love this.

[@solcalderon6846]

Gracias.

[@RecordareDomineA415]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and wishing you and your family full of love, peace, good health and prosperity in 2023!

[@michelebeartGIBBONGASCON]

Merci

[@FernandoFlores-bs8qr]

EXCELENCIA PURA!!!!!

[@alpatel9711]

Found it!

[@Discovery_and_Change]

#1 0:00 | #2 7:39 | 21:49 moment | #3 22:20 | #4 25:43 | #5 28:24 | #6 32:19 somber | #7 35:00 | #8 38:10 |

[@marionunez8463]

Partidas de Bach violín solo

[@xdaniels6665]

Shame on me, I have never heard about him.