QUOTE OF THE DAY - MAY 24, 2017 / FROM (RELATIVE) OBSCURITY INTO LIGHT: GIUSEPPE TORELLI, BELOVED BY HIGH SOCIETY feat. Did You Know?

Giuseppe Torelli

Today's Quote of the Day comes to us from a quoted summarization of the late 17th - early 18th century composer, teacher and musician Giuseppe Torelli of Verona, as published in the American periodical The Nation in 1871.

You’ve likely heard of Corelli and his famous 12 concerti grossi - but what about Torelli? This master of the baroque, violinist and maestro di concerto to the Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, Georg Friedrich II – although scarcely spoken of in present times - was lauded in his era as one of the forerunners of the Baroque concerto and concerto grosso (much like Arcangelo).

According to an article written in The Nation, Torelli’s influence on the 18th century musical scene would continue to earn him high praise from fans in the upper echelon of European society for more than a century after his death, with the Senator of the Kingdom of Italy (former Prime Minister of Sardinia), The Honourable Grace Massimo d'Azeglio - who had corresponded with the musician whilst Torelli was still living - opined later of the composer that his 

"… style [was like] Blondin's* free and easy movements on the tightrope, without ever tumbling into the Niagara."

With music like this, it’s easy to see what so enamored both noble and political Europe:

Listen below to Giuseppe Torelli's Concerto for 4 Violins in A Minor:



Footnote:

*Charles Blondin was a famous French tightrope walker and acrobat living in the 19th century. Watch the short clip below to learn more about his incredible, death-defying feats (topic ends at 1 minute, 45 seconds):

-Rose.

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