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:
Single part Mandolin 2
Item no.: 550403
Single part Mandolin 2
Item no.: 550396
Single part mandolin (solo)
Item no.: 550394
op. 104
Einzelstimme Vc.
for: Flute, oboe, strings, organ
Cello (orchestral part)
Item no.: 424520
G-Dur
for: Violin, string orchestra
Viola 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1351861
for: Flute, oboe, string orchestra
Cello (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1351791
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 205595
for: 2 horns, string orchestra, harpsichord
Viola 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 447161
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355559
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Violin 3, 4 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355534
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1, 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355533
for: Violin, string orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355472
for: Violin, string orchestra
Viola 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355470
for: 2 violins, orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355355
for: Harp, orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355266
for: Harp, orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355254
for: Flute, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355165
for: Clarinet, chamber orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355040
for: Oboe [flute], string orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355390
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 643236
for: Oboe
Single part(n)
Item no.: 278219
for: Piano, orchestra
Single part Violin 2
Item no.: 560109
for: Bassoon, orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1025068
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 665793
"La Notte"
for: Flöte (Alt-Blockflöte), Streichorchester und Basso continuo
Single part Violin 2
Item no.: 747280
"La tempesta di mare"
for: Flöte (Alt-Blockflöte), Streichorchester und Basso continuo
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 727007
for: Violin, orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 294503
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355124
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355169
for: Piano, orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 303755
for: Treble recorder, flute, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 683454
for: Violin, orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 191433
for: Organ, orchestra, basso continuo
Harpsichord [piano] (orchestral part)
Item no.: 476193
for: Cello, orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1689605
for: Harpsichord, strings
Score
Item no.: 125281
Christmas Concert
Eulenburg Orchestral Series
for: String orchestra, basso continuo
Score, Piano score
Item no.: 358092
Christmas Concerto
for: 2 treble recorders [flutes], 2 violins, viola, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 772439
for: 2 treble recorders, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 125262
Concerto a quattro in forma di Pastorale per il Santissimo Natale
Musical Treasures of the Past
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 125273
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 125280
for: Violin, strings, organ [harpsichord]
Score
Item no.: 146211
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 392591
for: String orchestra
Score
Item no.: 656101
for: String orchestra, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 125267
for: 2 FL ZUPFORCHESTER
Score
Item no.: 347601
Christmas Concerto
for: 2 violins, cello, strings, basso continuo
Harpsichord [organ] (orchestral part)
Item no.: 371425
Christmas Concerto
for: 2 violins, cello, strings, basso continuo
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 371968
Christmas Concerto
for: 2 violins, cello, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 226734
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