Locatelli Concerto Grosso Op. 1 No. 6

Pietro Locatelli studied with Corelli in Rome, and the Op. 1 concertos show it. They belong to the same tradition as the Corelli concerti grossi: clear part-writing, well-defined ritornello structures, and a formal elegance that never tips into austerity. This is Baroque string writing at its most coherent.

The concerto grosso form places a concertino of two solo violins and solo cello in dialogue with the full string orchestra. The contrast is architectural rather than competitive. The concertino spins out melodic lines; the ripieno anchors, responds, and drives the harmonic rhythm forward. Across the four movements, the interplay shifts from lyrical to rhythmically assertive, with the Largo movements offering particular opportunities for shapely phrasing and dynamic control.

This edition includes a fully realised harpsichord part, giving the continuo player something to work from rather than a bare figured bass. The string parts stay close to the source material throughout.

Running to around nine minutes, this is practical programming: substantial enough to anchor a period-repertoire concert, compact enough to sit alongside other works without dominating the evening.

Key features:

• Concerto grosso form with concertino (2 solo violins, solo cello) and ripieno string orchestra
• Fully realised harpsichord continuo part included
• Four-movement structure with contrasting slow and fast movements
• Edited and realised by Paul Wood
• Duration: approx. 9 minutes

Who it's for: String orchestras with a confident concertmaster and two reliable solo players, looking for well-crafted Baroque repertoire that sits in the Corelli tradition without demanding the technical extremes of Locatelli's later works.