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:
for: Violin solo, string orchestra, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 335955
TWV 54:D1
ars instrumentalis 069
for: 2 flutes (solo), violin (solo), cello (solo), strings, basso continuo
Single part Flute 1
Item no.: 465774
a Mandolino principale, due Violini, Viola, Violoncello, Basso, Oboi e Corni
for: Mandolin, baroque orchestra
Score
Item no.: 430446
for: Clarinet, chamber orchestra
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 430331
RV 405
for: Cello, strings, basso continuo
Score, Parts, Piano reduction
Item no.: 1192633
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355227
Urtext based on the new Complete Edition (G. Henle Verlag)
for: Piano, orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 340296
P. 55. Erstdruck
Erstdruck
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 341010
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 337356
Urtext based on the new Complete Edition (G. Henle Verlag)
for: Piano, orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 339755
HWV 306
Einzelstimme Org.
for: Organ
Single part Organ
Item no.: 236432
für Orgel, 3 Hörner und Streicher
for: Organ, orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 237557
for: Trombone, string orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1023290
for: Piano, orchestra
Score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1021508
für Orgel, 3 Hörner und Streicher
for: Organ, orchestra
Cello (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1659350
for: TRP (B/C/CORNO DA CACCIA) KLAV
Item no.: 431612
Tafelmusik I
TWV 53:A2
Urtext of the Telemann Edition
for: Flute, violin, string orchestra, basso continuo
Double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 347750
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Cello (orchestral part)
Item no.: 336086
Edition Schott
for: Cello, orchestra
Cello (orchestral part)
Item no.: 247526
Breitkopf Urtext
for: Baroque orchestra
Viola da gamba 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 246581
TWV 43: d 3
for: 2 violins [flute, violin], cello, basso continuo
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 213479
ars instrumentalis 040
Single part(n)
Item no.: 207971
for: Viola, string orchestra
Einzelstimme Violine I rip.
Item no.: 783691
for: für Klavier und Orchester
Partitur
Item no.: 328147
ars instrumentalis 072
for: String orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 261194
Op.Xii N.2 F.I-212 - Tomo 463
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263174
for: Violin, chamber orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355072
ars instrumentalis 072
for: Symphonic orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 578643
Viola 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 372986
Winter
for: Violin solo, string orchestra, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 371419
from L'Estro Armonico
RV 550 / PV 97
for: 4 violins, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 631374
for: Oboe, strings
Score
Item no.: 584781
Summer
for: Violin solo, string orchestra, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 621405
Winter
for: Violin solo, string orchestra, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 671887
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano, orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 634645
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Chamber orchestra, basso continuo
Viola 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 631076
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Violin, orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 583747
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Flute, orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 366212
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 292053
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 292051
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: 2 treble recorders, violin, strings, basso continuo
Treble recorder 1 (single part)
Item no.: 269187
"La tempesta di mare" (op, 10,1; PV 261)
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 327691
for: Piano, concert band
Score
Item no.: 1001138
Tafelmusik II
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: 3 violins, strings, basso continuo
Violin (orchestral part)
Item no.: 552486
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Piano, orchestra
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 772642
The Four Seasons
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 330073
I. Ployer-Konzert
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 379156
Stephenson Music
for: Piccolo trumpet, wind ensemble
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1166048
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