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
Music score
Item no.: 283130
for: Trumpet, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 132038
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 392004
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 391994
for: Oboe d'amore, Klavier
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 389521
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 358928
for: Oboe (Violine), Streicher und Basso continuo (Cembalo/Orgel); Violoncello (Viola da gamba) ad libitum
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 420737
for: Piano
Music score, online playback
Item no.: 144278
Triple Concerto
Urtext of the New Complete Edition
Henle Studien-Edition
for: Violin, cello, piano, orchestra
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 289809
Two copies needed for performance
for: 2 pianos
Piano reduction (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 289082
for: Flute, harp, orchestra
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 113401
for: Violin, orchestra
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 144457
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 144037
for: Horn (F), piano
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 497977
for: Cello, piano
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 369620
for: Oboe, chamber orchestra
Score
Item no.: 254844
for: 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, piano
Set of parts
Item no.: 657969
for: Trumpet, string orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 256358
Edition in D major
for: Double bass, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 392850
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
for: 2 violins, strings, basso continuo
Piano reduction, 2 Parts
Item no.: 217422
for: 2 flutes, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 482552
for: Violin, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 271593
for: Violin, string orchestra
Score (Hardcover)
Item no.: 673293
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 373790
Edition Schott
for: Clarinet, piano
Music score
Item no.: 749498
for: Cello, piano
Score
Item no.: 765377
for: Piano, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 483294
for: Flute, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 179576
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 294378
for: Alto saxophone, wind ensemble
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 284191
for: Violin, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 197790
for: 2 oboes, strings
Piano reduction, solo parts
Item no.: 302189
for: Piano, orchestra
Piano reduction
Item no.: 288595
for: KLAR-A KLAV
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 286042
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 108947
for: Bassethorn (F), piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 695992
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 322178
for: Trombone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 323104
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 416690
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 213738
Two copies needed for performance
for: Piano, orchestra
Piano reduction (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 797270
for: VC 2 OB-DAMORE STR BC
Score
Item no.: 369843
for: Flute, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 1559905
for: Organ, orchestra
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 688018
for: Piccolo, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 329287
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 636347
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