The Berlin Academy for Ancient Music presents a recording of the first six Concerti grossi, Op. 6 by the composer, ensemble leader and violin virtuoso Arcangelo Corelli, who received the almost cult-like reverence during his lifetime. The composer had been experimenting with this one of the most distinctive forms of instrumental music of the Baroque era since the late 1670s, but it was only towards the end of his life that he sought to publish these compositions and selected only twelve exemplary pieces from what was probably a much larger collection. He laid the foundations of this instrumental form for future composers such as Handel, who paid tribute to the Italian Baroque master with his own Concerti grossi Op 3 & 6.

With their extraordinary virtuosity, the Berlin Academy and its two concertmasters, Mayumi Hirasaki and Georg Kallweit, prove why they are regarded as one of the most influential period-instrument ensembles of today.