Scan 37
Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of Celebrated Violinists, 1877
4 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1had preceded him at Naples: it would appear that in being appointed out of compliment to lead a composition of Scarlatti's, on arriving at an air in C minor, Corelli led off in C major. "Let us recommence," said the composer good-humouredly; but the same thing occurred again, and Scarlatti was absolutely obliged to point out what was the matter. This, we are told, added to Corelli's mortification so much that he soon after left Naples and returned to Rome. These stories must be taken cum grano salis when we remember that they are the ipse dixit of another artiste, who, though a pupil, was, to a certain extent, a rival of Corelli's.
3That Corelli was a man who knew how to make himself respected we can plainly see in what occurred at Ottoboni's residence one evening, when he observed the worthy Cardinal and others talking during the performance of one of his finest solos. On this occasion, to the surprise of every one present, Corelli quietly laid down his violin and stepped off the platform to join the company. On being asked the reason of this singular behaviour, he replied that he was afraid the noise of his music might perhaps interrupt the conversation!
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