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:
Edition Schott
for: Piccolo-Blockflöte (Alt-Blockflöte), 2 Violinen, Viola und Basso continuo; Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Score
Item no.: 727678
for: Solo for Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Eb Cornet, F Horn, Eb Horn, Alto Trombone, Tenor Trombone, Euphonium, Violin, Viola or Violoncello & Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1636936
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 749231
for Violin and Orchestra
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 749237
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 755960
for: 9 Trumpets & Piano (Organ)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1271705
for: Alto trombone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272471
for: Alphorn (G-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1607660
for: Viola, Streicher, 2 Oboen und 2 Hörner in C
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 749941
Edition Schott
for: Flöte (Alt-Blockflöte), Streichorchester und Basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 747268
for: Soprano saxophone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1607025
for: Tenor saxophone (B-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1607023
for: Tuba (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1607012
for: Violin, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1615102
for: Piccolo, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1219071
for: Horn (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1253359
for: Viola, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1253351
for: Horn (F), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1233144
for: Euphonium, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1233139
for: Tuba (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1233137
for: 4 Flutes & Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1253875
Concerto grosso in A Minor
for: Violin, harpsichord, string orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 748110
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 755972
Edition Schott
for: Oboe (Flöte) und Streichorchester
Score
Item no.: 740656
for violin and orchestra
for: Violin, orchestra
Conductor score
Item no.: 737285
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 749303
Edition Schott
for: Viola, string orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 749947
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 753217
Edition Schott
for: Oboe (Violine), Streicher und Basso continuo (Cembalo/Orgel); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Partitur = Cembalo/Orgel
Item no.: 743733
op. 82
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 722547
"Winter" F Minor
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Study score
Item no.: 739671
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Cembalo (Klavier) und Orchester
Study score
Item no.: 722419
Edition Schott
for: Oboe (Violine, Flöte), Streicher und Cembalo
Piano score (conductor)
Item no.: 725740
for: Piccolo Trumpet & Organ (Piano)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1636963
for: 4 flutes (quartet)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663667
Edition Schott
for: Oboe (Violine), Streicher und Basso continuo (Cembalo/Orgel); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 749583
for: 4 woodwinds (quartet)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1663668
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 755879
for: Trombone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1630355
für Flöte und Orchester, KV 313
Klavierauszug
for: Flute, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1931
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 755959
"Il Gardellino"
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Study score
Item no.: 722398
Edition Schott
for: Klarinette und Streichorchester; 2 Hörner ad libitum
Score
Item no.: 746754
for: Horn (F), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272435
for: Flute, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272396
for: Clarinet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272394
for: Alphorn (F), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1271693
for: Alphorn in F & Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1631032