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:
"Petit Concerto"
for: Guitar, orchestra
Stimmensatz Oboe I, Oboe II, Horn I, Horn II, 4 Violinen I, 4 Violinen II, 2 Violen, 4 Violoncelli/Kontrabässe
Item no.: 729127
Arranged from the Adagio from Clarinet Concerto KV 622
for: Clarinet, piano
Score, part
Item no.: 761376
8 Timeless Pieces Arranged for String Quartet
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 750593
for violin and orchestra
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 736875
Edition Schott
for: Violin, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 746650
for violin and orchestra
for: Violin, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 756440
Edition Schott
for: Cello, strings, harpsichord
Piano reduction
Item no.: 741295
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 735785
Edition Schott
for: Flute, string orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 735660
for 2 Horns, Strings and Basso continuo
for: 2 horns, strings, basso continuo
Study score
Item no.: 753226
(Violin Concerto)
for: Solo-Violine und größeres Kammerorchester
Study score
Item no.: 755822
for violin and orchestra
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 729538
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 753232
"Emperor"
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 737138
of the concerto for flute, harp and orchestra KV 299
for: Flute, harp
Solostimmensatz
Item no.: 750140
Edition Schott
for: Oboe und kleines Orchester
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 734586
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Cembalo oder Flöte oder Violoncello und Streicher
Study score
Item no.: 749243
in one movement
for: Cello, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 748149
Music Of Our Time
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 729478
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 749241
Edition Schott
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 741324
for: Tuba, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272406
Concertos for Flute and Orchestra G major KV 313 and D-major KV 314 by W. A. Mozart
for: Flute
Music score
Item no.: 743363
Edition Schott
for: Violin, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 743827
Edition Schott
for: Clarinet, piano
Music score
Item no.: 749498
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 749245
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 726018
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 753227
for: String quartet [string orchestra]; basso continuo ad lib.
Score
Item no.: 740673
Edition Schott
for: Viola, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 746758
for: 2 guitars
Spielbuch
Item no.: 761278
Edition Schott
for: Cello, orchestra
Conductor score
Item no.: 746701
Edition Schott
for: 2 Violinen, Streicher und Cembalo (Klavier)
Partitur = Cembalo, Klavier, Orgel
Item no.: 734178
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 740230
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 749227
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor
for: Violin, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 730824
for: Trumpet [cornet], piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1630349
Edition Schott
for: Violin, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 754431
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Flöte, Oboe, Trompete, Violine, Streicher und Basso continuo
Study score
Item no.: 736235
Edition Schott
for: Cembalo (Orgel) und Streicher
Partitur = Cembalo/Orgel
Item no.: 746784
Edition Schott
for: Descant (soprano) recorder, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 752324
Cadenzas by the Composer
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 749298
Edition Schott
for: Viola, string orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 749948
Eulenburg Miniature Scores
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 735669
Edition Schott
for: Piccolo-Blockflöte (Alt-Blockflöte), 2 Violinen, Viola und Basso continuo; Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Score
Item no.: 727678
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
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