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:
Brass total
for: Trumpet, organ
Item no.: 147599
4
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score, CD
Item no.: 445102
Konzert G-Dur
Reprintausgabe
for: 2 organs (4 hands)
Ensemble score
Item no.: 621583
Flugel Horn & Klavier
for: Flugelhorn, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 598345
for: Oboe, piano
Piano reduction
Item no.: 344299
RV 517
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1161869
Edition Schott
for: Viola, string orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 749948
for: 4 recorders (SATB quartet)
Score
Item no.: 624466
for: Oboe [clarinet], bassoon, chamber orchestra
Score
Item no.: 474411
for: String orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 470137
for: 2 violins, viola, cello/double bass, harpsichord
Score
Item no.: 236370
for: 2 Violinen, Viola, Violoncello, Streicher, Basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 193657
for: Violine, Streicher
Score
Item no.: 205594
for: 2 violins (soli), string orchestra, piano
Score
Item no.: 187303
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 108985
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 108970
for: Flute, harp
Music score, online audio
Item no.: 1541589
for: Oboe d'amore, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 184529
for: Oboe, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 135097
for: Horn, Kammerorchester
Score
Item no.: 174748
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 167998
for: Organ, strings
Score
Item no.: 166136
for: Euphonium, concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1672433
for: Tuba, concert band
Score
Item no.: 975380
for: 2 violins, 2 organs, strings , basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 673136
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 672139
for: Horn, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 648785
for: Violin, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 604327
for: Trumpet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 666354
for: Harpsichord, strings
Score
Item no.: 549550
for: Trumpet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 577962
for: Clarinet, bassoon, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 341501
for: 3 violins, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 368242
for: Violin, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 362335
for: 2 harpsichords [2 pianos]
Score
Item no.: 352438
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 797766
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 797763
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 560104
for: 2 Violinen, Orgel, Kontrabass, [Violoncello]
Score
Item no.: 282652
for: Cello, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 281800
for: Flute, strings, harpsichord
Score
Item no.: 281798
for: Harpsichord [piano], string orchestra
Score
Item no.: 281780
for: Violine, 2. Violine "per eco" und Streichorchester mit Basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 281749
for: Flute, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 281712
for: Flute, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 281628
for: 2 violins, string orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 302174
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 297230
for: für Violine, Violoncello und Kammerorchester
Score
Item no.: 296747