Changes

===The Romantic Period===

===The Romantic Period===

During the [[Romanticism|Romantic]] period, the concerto gained much more notoriety due to the introduction of bona-fide [[virtuoso|virtuosi]]. The concerto became one of the highest forms of classical music, and was often a work to be commissioned by individual performers. For example, Joseph Joachim, a famous violinist of the 1800's, commissioned [[Johannes Brahms]] to compose his violin concerto, one of the most highly regarded pieces in the violin repertoire. There was a resurgence of concerto grossi, but typically for smaller groups (no more than two soloists).  

During the [[Romanticism|Romantic]] period, the concerto gained much more notoriety due to the introduction of bona-fide [[virtuoso|virtuosi]]. The concerto became one of the highest forms of classical music, and was often a work to be commissioned by individual performers. For example, Joseph Joachim, a famous violinist of the 1800s, commissioned [[Johannes Brahms]] to compose his violin concerto, one of the most highly regarded pieces in the violin repertoire. There was a resurgence of concerto grossi, but typically for smaller groups (no more than two soloists).  

During this period, the concerto underwent a massive shift in form and focus. The double exposition of classical concerti fell by the wayside, and many (such as Mendelssohn's violin concerto) bring in the soloist at the very beginning. In addition, the form tended more and more to the symphonic, although the virtuosity of the solo part continued to increase as well. This is perhaps best exemplified by the growth of the cadenza.  

During this period, the concerto underwent a massive shift in form and focus. The double exposition of classical concerti fell by the wayside, and many (such as Mendelssohn's violin concerto) bring in the soloist at the very beginning. In addition, the form tended more and more to the symphonic, although the virtuosity of the solo part continued to increase as well. This is perhaps best exemplified by the growth of the cadenza.  

Composers begin writing their own, multi-page cadenza, allowing it to serve a functional purpose in the music. Often times, composers would work with whoever commissioned the concerto when writing the cadenza, either to compose to their individual playing styles or to determine what was practical and what was not. The great Romantic concerti - examples of which are [[Antonin Dvorak]]'s [[Cello]] Concerto; [[Felix Mendelssohn]], [[Brahms]] and [[Tchaikovsky]]'s [[Violin]] Concertos - feature elaborate cadenzas which only the most advanced musicians can attempt to play due to their virtuosity.

Composers begin writing their own, multi-page cadenza, allowing it to serve a functional purpose in the music. Oftentimes, composers would work with whoever commissioned the concerto when writing the cadenza, either to compose to their individual playing styles or to determine what was practical and what was not. The great Romantic concerti - examples of which are [[Antonin Dvorak]]'s [[Cello]] Concerto; [[Felix Mendelssohn]], [[Brahms]] and [[Tchaikovsky]]'s [[Violin]] Concertos - feature elaborate cadenzas which only the most advanced musicians can attempt to play due to their virtuosity.

===The Concerto today===

===The Concerto today===