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, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 1161662
(Urtext)
for: Horn, orchestra
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 344682
for: Flute, mandolin orchestra
Score
Item no.: 342105
for: Alto saxophone, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 922690
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1010024
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: 2 violins, cello, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1010112
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 774328
for: Oboe, orchestra
Single part oboe solo
Item no.: 662486
for organ and orchestra, 1893 – 94
for: Symphonic orchestra
Double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 237559
for: Chamber orchestra, basso continuo
Cello, double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1663933
for: Trombone, concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1208906
for: Viola, orchestra
Einzelstimme Violine II rip.
Item no.: 784600
for: Violine, Streicher und Orgel
Single part Violin 2
Item no.: 752169
for: Violine und Streichorchester; 2 Hörner ad libitum
Einzelstimme Viola rip.
Item no.: 784718
for: Violine und Streichorchester; 2 Hörner ad libitum
Einzelstimme Violine II rip.
Item no.: 784717
for: Violine und Streichorchester; 2 Hörner ad libitum
Einzelstimme Violine I rip.
Item no.: 784716
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Study score, Solo part
Item no.: 1024097
for: Clarinet, orchestra
Cello (orchestral part)
Item no.: 663290
for: 2 flutes, strings, basso continuo; bassoon ad lib.
Single part Organ
Item no.: 635313
for: Euphonium, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1022573
for: Tuba, chamber orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1022563
for: Trumpet, strings
Set of parts
Item no.: 1022326
for: Tuba, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1021806
for: Trumpet, strings
Set of parts
Item no.: 1023761
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 314646
op. 10/1
for: Harpsichord [piano], string orchestra
Harmoniestimmen Flöte I/Oboe, Flöte II/Oboe, Horn I, Horn II
Item no.: 784571
for: 2 percussions, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1022303
for: Strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 304991
for: Oboe, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 304827
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.: 263026
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263148
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Score
Item no.: 1566423
for: 2 oboes, strings, basso continuo
Single part Harpsichord
Item no.: 1355550
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1355515
for: 2 violins, orchestra
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 1355353
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 263077
for: Piano, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 262618
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263152
for: Violin, String Ensemble and BC
Score
Item no.: 263006
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