Concerto grosso in G minor, op.6 no. 8, by Arcangelo Corelli, known commonly as his Christmas Concerto, was commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni and published posthumously in 1714 as part of his twelve concerti grossi, op.6. The concerto bears the inscription Fatto per la notte di Natale or "Made for the night of Christmas". It was composed around 1690, since there is a record of Corelli having that year performed a Christmas concerto for the enjoyment of his then-new patron. The concerto is scored for an ensemble consisting of two concertino violins and cello, ripieno strings and continuo. The work is structured as a concerto da chiesa, in this case expanded from a typical four movement structure to five or six.

Pastorale - Arcangelo Corelli

Clavis Musica Barocca