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: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 101468
for: Flute, concert band
Score
Item no.: 1628875
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 649208
for: Violin, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1355785
for: horn, chamber orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1558133
for 2 oboes and strings (Score)
for: 2 oboes, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1555953
for: Bassoon, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1555925
for: Bassoon, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1555910
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1550432
for: Harp, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1660082
for: Violin, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1668655
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1672199
for: Horn, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1689472
for: Horn, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1689399
for: Double bass, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 767546
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 463851
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 389435
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 484136
for: Violin, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 481789
for: Bassoon, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 347417
for: Organ, percussion
Score
Item no.: 382675
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 381733
for: ORCHESTERWERKE GROßES ORCHESTER SOLO-TROMPETE
Score
Item no.: 344326
for: Flöte, Kammerorchester
Score
Item no.: 342126
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 338239
Concerto Grossi
for: String orchestra [2 violins, viola, cello (quartet)]
Score
Item no.: 337797
Rekonstruierte Fassung für Bassettklarinette und Orchester (Urtextausgabe) (Urtext)
for: Basset clarinet (A), orchestra
Score
Item no.: 335789
for: 2 violins, cello, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 378957
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 797769
for: Flute, strings
Score
Item no.: 229162
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
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