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:
für Klavier und Orchester
Studienpartitur
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 558879
Collection Robert Hériché
for: Flute, guitar
Ensemble score, solo part
Item no.: 199029
Collection Maurice André
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 198881
The Flemish Music Collection
Repertoire Explorer
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 602246
Reprint
Repertoire Explorer
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 558760
Il violoncello concertato – Cellokonzerte des 18. Jahrhunderts
for: Cello (solo), 2 violins, viola, basso continuo
Piano score, solo part (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 778715
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 492913
Repertoire Explorer
for: Cello, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 237651
for: Oboe, piano
Item no.: 226839
RV 386
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Score, Parts, Piano reduction
Item no.: 1161838
für Violine und Orchester
Study Score 1027
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 660894
Köbl Edition
for: Horn, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1013190
for: 2 oboes d'amore, strings, basso continuo
Score, Parts
Item no.: 766632
Köbl Edition
for: Horn, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 1013191
für Klavier und Orchester
Repertoire Explorer
for: Piano, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 353616
Konzertouvertüre für Akkordeon
for: Accordion
Music score
Item no.: 342456
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 303966
for: Trumpet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 303965
for: Oboe, piano
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 169882
for: Violin, strings, basso continuo
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 169501
Klassik
for: Clarinet, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 270848
for: Alphorn in F & Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1631032
for: Piccolo, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1578109
for: Viola, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1593397
(Revised)
Southern Music
for: Alto saxophone, orchestra
Piano reduction, solo part
Item no.: 771965
(Urtext)
for: Oboe, piano
Piano reduction, solo part, Playback-CD
Item no.: 329857
for: Alphorn (F), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1271693
for: Horn (F), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272435
for: Flute, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272396
for: Clarinet, piano [organ]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1272394
for: Clarinet, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1287335
für 2 Hörner, Streicher und Basso continuo
Eulenburg Studienpartituren
for: 2 horns, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 392381
Eulenburg Studienpartituren
for: Flute, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 391987
Concerto 9-10, Vol. V
Stimmensatz in Faksimile, arranged from Harpsichord Sonatas
for: 2 violins, cello, strings, basso continuo
Set of parts
Item no.: 563760
for: Violin, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1288174
for: Piccolo Trumpet & Organ (Piano)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1636963
Op. 6 Nr. 4
for: Solo for Bassoon, Tenor Saxophone, F Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba or Violoncello & String Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1288171
Op. 6 Nr. 4
for: Solo for Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Alto Trombone, Bass Trombone, Violin or Viola & String Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 1288170
for: Horn (F), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1630358
for: Trombone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1630355
2 Horns Solo
for: 2 F Horns & String Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 596638
2 Horns & Orchester
for: 2 F Horns & Orchestra
Sheet music
Item no.: 596629
S.49, WoO.1
for: Flute, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1275774
S.49, WoO.1
for: Oboe, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1275773
S.49, WoO.1
for: Cornet (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1275757
S.49, WoO.1
for: Tuba (B-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1275755
for: Horn (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1219060
for: Violin, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1219051
© 2004–2024 by Stretta Music. Order and buy sheet music online.
Your specialist for all kinds of sheet music. Online shop, sheet music, music scores and play along for download, books, music stands, music stand lights, accessories.
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Netherlands
Belgium
France
Luxembourg
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Denmark
Finland
Sweden
Poland
Czech Republic
United Kingdom
