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 organ and orchestra, 1893 – 94
for: Organ, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 237553
for: Flute, oboe, strings, organ
Score
Item no.: 231689
for: Accordion orchestra
Score
Item no.: 217630
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 243556
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 204423
(Urtext)
for: Flute, violin, string orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 245796
for Bass Clarinet and Ensemble
for: Bass clarinet, chamber ensemble
Score
Item no.: 684682
for: Viola, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 754386
for: Klavier, Kammerorchester
Score
Item no.: 290725
for: 4 HRN ORCH
Score
Item no.: 329755
for: Oboe, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 320611
for: Violine, Streicher
Score
Item no.: 302176
for: Harpsichord, strings
Score
Item no.: 300189
for: Oboe, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 300150
for: Trumpet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 298590
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 312508
for: Violin, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 603357
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 564995
for: Guitar, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 287329
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 287132
DV 8102 is printed in score form; two copies are needed for performance
for: 2 harpsichords
Score
Item no.: 284049
for: Flute, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 281808
for: Alt-Blockflöte, Streicher und Basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 281803
for: Bassoon, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 281762
for: Strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 281756
for: String orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 281752
for: Violine und Streichorchester; 2 Hörner in F ad libitum
Score
Item no.: 281696
for: Violin, harpsichord, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 281649
for: String quartet [string orchestra]; basso continuo ad lib.
Score
Item no.: 281633
Transcription of the Sonata in g for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord
BWV 1029
for: 2 violas, 2 viole da gamba, cello, violone, harpsichord
Score
Item no.: 678646
for: Horn, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 648781
for: 2 horns, string orchestra, harpsichord
Score
Item no.: 692892
for: Violin, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 691781
for: Flute [oboe/ bassethorn/ bassoon], orchestra
Score
Item no.: 696398
for: Flute, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 666545
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 557265
for: Horn (E-flat/F), concert band
Score
Item no.: 1145389
for: Flugelhorn, brass band
Score
Item no.: 1143120
for: Piccolo trumpet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1024106
for: 2 trumpets, wind ensemble
Score
Item no.: 1023755
for: Trombone, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1023287
for: Horn, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1022567
for: Trumpet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1022401
for: Tuba, concert band
Score
Item no.: 1022175
for: Bassoon, strings, basso continuo
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1555782
for: Horn, piano
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 304708
for: 2 violins, piano
Item no.: 287470
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1203606
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