Sonate A Violino E Violone O Cimbalo Op. V / Sonate I - III - VI - XI La Follia

Arcangelo Corelli’s Op. 5 sonatas, published in 1700, represent a cornerstone of the violin repertoire. These works were written at the height of the Italian Baroque, designed to showcase the technical range and expressive potential of the violin through a blend of lyrical adagios and virtuosic allegros. The set concluded with the famous La Follia variations, which became a foundational study for violinists across the 18th century.

This 1984 recording by the Kuijken brothers and Robert Kohnen on the Accent label emerged during a significant period in the historically informed performance movement. Sigiswald Kuijken, a pioneer of the period-instrument approach, sought to strip away the heavy Romantic performance traditions that had dominated Corelli's music for generations. By utilizing baroque violins and period bows, the ensemble aimed for a transparent, historically grounded interpretation that emphasized the nuanced articulation and dance-like phrasing central to Corelli's original vision.