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: Piano, orchestra
2 scores (hardcover, with musicological analysis)
Item no.: 745452
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 339101
for: Trombone, strings
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 198464
for: Oboe, piano
Piano reduction
Item no.: 194036
Studien-Edition
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 688414
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 681337
for: Violin, piano, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 273898
for: Violin [flute], viola da gamba [cello], harpsichord [piano]
Score, Parts
Item no.: 255164
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 256692
for: Youth symphony orchestra [youth string orchestra/ youth concert band], choir
Score, Parts
Item no.: 276505
for: Violin, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 316397
for: Oboe, piano
Piano reduction
Item no.: 460478
for: 2 treble recorders, strings, basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 210434
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 674027
Edition Schott
for: Piano, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 735664
Edition Schott
for: Flöte, Oboe (2. Flöte) und Streichorchester
Piano reduction, solo parts
Item no.: 738902
Edition Schott
for: Violin, orchestra
Conductor score
Item no.: 730109
Edition Schott
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, strings, basso continuo
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 743995
Morceau de concert
for: Cello, piano
Music score
Item no.: 750567
Edition Schott
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 748738
Music Of Our Time
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 741711
Complete Edition with critical report
Abteilung III
Band 5
for: Piano, orchestra
Score (hardcover, with musicological analysis)
Item no.: 773861
for: Piano 4 hands, chamber orchestra
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1346618
for: Flute, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 254966
for: Clarinet
Music score, online audio
Item no.: 209004
for viola and string orchestra
for: Viola, string orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 779947
for: Piano, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 772275
for: Viola, cello
Score, Parts
Item no.: 767370
for Violin and Orchestra
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 729686
"Autumn" F Major
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 723105
for: Oboe (Flöte) und Streichorchester
Set of parts
Item no.: 295476
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 659901
for: 2 Flöten und Streichorchester; 2 Oboen und 2 Hörner ad libitum
Additional parts: strings
Item no.: 147530
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 284206
for: Oboe (Violine, Flöte), Streicher und Cembalo
Piano score (conductor)
Item no.: 101643
for: Tuba, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1192873
for: Flute, violin, piano
Score
Item no.: 1357784
gleichzeitig auch Material zu Violinkonzertfassung (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Cello, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 287130
for: Trumpet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 281683
for: Bassoon, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1702444
Ausgabe für Klarinette und Klavier (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 168479
for: Harpsichord, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 225675
for: Cello [double bass], strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 273547
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 177781
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 172173
for: String orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 167904
for: Organ, strings
Score
Item no.: 166137
for: Oboe, chamber orchestra
Score
Item no.: 215050
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