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: 2 flutes (solo), violin (solo), cello (solo), strings, basso continuo
Single part (Cello solo)
Item no.: 468515
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Set of parts (Strings)
Item no.: 665796
for: Flute, oboe, violin, cello, theorbo, strings, basso continuo
Harpsichord (orchestral part)
Item no.: 421783
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 138525
for: Bassoon, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 310102
for: Flute, mandolin orchestra
Score
Item no.: 342105
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 304827
for: Alto saxophone, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 922690
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1010024
for: Violin, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1017250
for: Oboe, string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 649298
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1144665
for: Viola, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 775691
for: Harpsichord, strings
Score
Item no.: 141615
for: Flute, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 383643
for: Cello, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 370055
for: Organ, strings
Score
Item no.: 383292
for: Strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 282777
for: 2 violins, cello, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1010112
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1566423
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 774328
for: Violin, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 383118
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 621047
for: String orchestra, basso continuo
Viola 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 462132
Autumn
for: Violin solo, string orchestra, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 693032
for: Oboe, orchestra
Single part oboe solo
Item no.: 662486
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355144
for: Piano, orchestra
Viola 1, 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 771634
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355201
for: Violin solo, string orchestra, basso continuo
Single part Harpsichord
Item no.: 311934
for: Trombone [Viola], chamber orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355281
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263164
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263161
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263152
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263148
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263026
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 263077
for: Violin, Violin, String Ensemble, Organ
Score
Item no.: 262677
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 262618
for: 2 violins, cello, piano
Single part Violin 2
Item no.: 401285
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263006
for: Violin, string orchestra, organ
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 272080
for: Piano, orchestra
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 796040
(Urtext)
for: 2 oboes, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 329326
for: 3 violins, strings, basso continuo
Single part Violin 1 solo
Item no.: 369100
Tafelmusik I
TWV 53:A2
Urtext of the Telemann Edition
for: Flute, violin, string orchestra, basso continuo
Single part (Violin solo)
Item no.: 347747
(Urtext)
for: 2 oboes, strings, basso continuo
Oboe 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 329331
for: Piano, orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 696475
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