1. Innovative Style and Technique: Corelli's music stands out for its revolutionary style and technique. He played an instrumental role in refining and standardizing the violin technique. His compositions require high levels of virtuosity, particularly in terms of melodic phrasing, articulation, and ornamentation. Corelli's innovative use of double stops, trills, and string crossings influenced subsequent violinists and composers.
2. Concerto grosso and Chamber Music Development: Corelli made significant contributions to the development of the concerto grosso form. His 12 Concerti Grossi Op. 6, published in 1714, are groundbreaking works in this genre. They showcase the contrast between the full ensemble (tutti) and a small group or soloist (concertino), a structural approach that became foundational in Baroque and later orchestral music. Corelli also perfected the Italian sonata da camera and sonata da chiesa forms for chamber music.
3. Compositional Influence: Corelli's compositions had a profound impact on his contemporaries and subsequent generations of musicians. His style influenced numerous composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, and numerous Italian violinists. His pieces served as models for future composers to follow and build upon.
4. Pedagogy and Teaching: Corelli was highly regarded as a violin teacher and mentor during his lifetime. Many notable violinists of the period studied under him or were influenced by his teaching methods. His emphasis on technical precision and musical expression shaped the development of violin pedagogy and performance practices.
5. Legacy and Influence: Corelli's legacy endured long after his death. His music remained popular throughout the 18th century and beyond. The technical demands and expressive nature of his compositions inspired future violinists and composers, contributing to the overall development of violin repertoire and performance.
Therefore, Arcangelo Corelli's revolutionary contributions to violin technique, concerto grosso, chamber music, compositional influence, and teaching make him a pioneering figure in the history of violin music. He rightfully earned his title as the father of modern violin music for laying the foundation and establishing the standards for subsequent generations of violinists and composers.