Who said that there are no arguments in music? On the contrary, the never-ending “competition” is an inseparable part of music itself, be it between instruments, within the dynamics or through the phrasing. In a solo concerto, a virtuosic soloist duels with the accompanying orchestra, and all being well, in the end, everybody wins! Browse our sheet music and scores, and explore all concertos from all eras with Stretta today!
The word “Concerto” is derived from the Latin term “concertare”, which means to dispute, contend or fight, while the same word took on a completely opposite meaning in Italian, to harmonise. The term was initially used for sacred choral compositions with bass accompaniment. First the Italian baroque composers Alessandro Stradella, Giuseppe Torelli and Arcangelo Corelli began to compose in the instrumental form that we now call “Concerto Grosso”. It consists of a small group of solo instruments, a “Concertino”, and a larger accompanying orchestra, the “Ripieno”, with basso continuo.
In the high baroque period, the first solo instrumental concertos began to appear, with a classic three-movement structure, for one, but sometimes for two or more instruments. The master of this form was without a doubt Antonio Vivaldi, from whose pen, to this day, 447 concertos have survived, 226 of them for violin. Vivaldi’s best-known concerto is his violin concerto Four Seasons. Both Bach and Handel are also well known for their concertos.
The solo concerto was also very popular in the classical period. All great composers who were accomplished pianists or instrumentalists wrote solo concertos, often for themselves, but also for other contemporary virtuosos, here are a few great classical solo concertos:
In the romantic period, almost all major composers devoted themselves to solo or double concertos of all kinds. Here are a few romantic favourites:
Southern Music
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 779526
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 1355239
for: Piano, concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 796652
for: Viola, string orchestra
Noten Violoncello/Kontrabass
Item no.: 793520
for: Flute, concert band
Score
Item no.: 1023532
op. 10/8
for: 2 Flöten (Oboen), Streicher und Basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 740653
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 735712
for: Trumpet, orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1688515
for: 4 horns (F), piano 4 hands
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1340513
for: Viola, string orchestra
Stimmensatz 5 Violinen I, 5 Violinen II, 3 Violen, 5 Violoncelli/Kontrabässe
Item no.: 1209050
for: Violin, chamber orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355073
for: Violin, chamber orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355071
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355173
originally Concerto for Oboe
Brass Tutorial and Solo Series no.139
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1562837
Faber Brass Band Series
for: Trombone, brass band
Score
Item no.: 1640706
for: Harpsichord, flute, violin, strings, basso continuo
Score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1682052
Edition Schott
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 741324
for: Violoncello (Viola da gamba), Streicher, 2 Hörner und Cembalo
Orchestermaterial 2 Hörner, 1 Violine 1, 1 Violine 2, 1 Viola, 1 Violoncello/Kontrabass
Item no.: 730777
for: Violine, Streicher und Orgel
Single part Viola
Item no.: 730560
for: 2 bassons, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1556139
for Trumpet and Orchestra / op.44
for: Trumpet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 683871
for: Marimba, string orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 838248
KSV 433
for: Violin, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1696594
HWV 317
for: Symphonic orchestra
Harpsichord [organ] (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1535167
Solo and Band
for: Alto saxophone, concert band
Score
Item no.: 1024346
Set of 8 parts: 0000 0000 33011
for: Flute, strings
Set of parts (Strings)
Item no.: 1215668
for: Cello, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 964099
für Solotrompete im Blechbläsertentett
for: Trumpet (solo), Brass ensemble (9 parts)
Score (C), Parts
Item no.: 1677941
"Spring" E Major
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 723103
for: Baritone saxophone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1593390
for: Oboe, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1593383
for: Euphonium, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272450
for: Tuba, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272406
for: Trombone, orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1312919
for: Tenor saxophone (B-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1630359
for: Flute, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1615104
for: Baritone saxophone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1615094
for: Bass trombone, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1615090
for: Alphorn in F & Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1580164
for: 2 horns (F), piano [organ]
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 1307457
Viola & String Orchestra
for: Viola, string orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1307049
RV 392
for: Viola & String Quartet or String Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1308497
for: Flute, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1309998
for: Euphonium, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1309990
for: Bass recorder, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1309979
for: 5 trombones
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663686
for: 4 clarinets
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663674
for: 4 tubas
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1663663
© 2004–2024 by Stretta Music. Order and buy sheet music online.
Your specialist for all kinds of sheet music. Online shop, sheet music, music scores and play along for download, books, music stands, music stand lights, accessories.
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Netherlands
Belgium
France
Luxembourg
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Denmark
Finland
Sweden
Poland
Czech Republic
Worldwide
