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The '''concerto''' was originally a work for one or more voices with instrumental accompaniment. It eventually evolved into a form called the ''concerto grosso'' which was a multi-movement orchestral work which featured passages or entire movements designated to be played by a solo instrument.

The '''concerto''' was originally a work for one or more voices with instrumental accompaniment. It eventually evolved into a form called the ''concerto grosso'' which was a multi-movement orchestral work which featured passages or entire movements designated to be played by a solo instrument. In its form, a concerto is a sonata with certain modifications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The modern concerto was developed during the [[Baroque]] period under the influence of masters such as [[Antonio Vivaldi]] and [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]. Vivaldi developed a form dubbed the "Italian Form," which standardized the concerto into a three-movement work featuring a fast introduction movement, a slow second movement, and a final quick, dance-like movement. Vivaldi's prolific output included over 250 concerti, such as [[The Four Seasons]] (a series of four concerti featuring a solo violinist), and many other works featuring solo [[flute]] and [[guitar]]/[[lute]].  

The modern concerto was developed during the [[Baroque]] period under the influence of masters such as [[Antonio Vivaldi]] and [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]. Vivaldi developed a form dubbed the "Italian Form," which standardized the concerto into a three-movement work featuring a fast introduction movement, a slow second movement, and a final quick, dance-like movement. Vivaldi's prolific output included over 250 concerti, such as [[The Four Seasons]] (a series of four concerti featuring a solo violinist), and many other works featuring solo [[flute]] and [[guitar]]/[[lute]].  

Subsequent development of the concerto occurred during the [[Classical]] period by [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]]. A virtuosic musician in addition to composer, Mozart wrote many concerti for a wide variety of instruments, including the [[clarinet]], [[violin]], and [[piano]]. In contrast to earlier concerti from the [[Baroque]] period, Mozart provided a short solo section for a musician to "show off," called a ''cadenza.'' Cadenzas would typically occur after the recapitulation and second development of the first movement (Mozart adopted the sonata form for many individual movements of his concerti), and would be left to the improvisational abilities of the musician. It was understood, however, that the cadenza would refer to and likely further develop thematic material from the actual movement. Mozart did leave a few written cadenzas for his piano concerti.

Subsequent development of the concerto occurred during the [[Classical]] period by [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]]. A virtuosic musician in addition to composer, Mozart wrote many concerti for a wide variety of instruments, including the [[clarinet]], [[violin]], and [[piano]]. In contrast to earlier concerti from the [[Baroque]] period, Mozart provided a short solo section for a musician to "show off," called a ''cadenza.'' Cadenzas would typically occur after the recapitulation and second development of the first movement (Mozart adopted the sonata form for many individual movements of his concerti), and would be left to the improvisational abilities of the musician. It was understood, however, that the cadenza would refer to and likely further develop thematic material from the actual movement. Mozart did leave a few written cadenzas for his piano concerti.

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). The most important development of the period was, however, the overhaul of the cadenza. Composers begin writing their own, multi-page cadenza, allowing the cadenza 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 or what was not. The great Romantic concerti - examples of which are [[Antonin Dvorak]]'s [[Cello]] Concerto; [[Felix Mendelssohn]], [[Johannes Brahms]] and [[Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky]]'s [[Violin]] Concerti; and [[Carl Maria von Weber]]'s [[Viola] Concerto - feature elaborate cadenzas which only the most advanced musicians can attempt to play due to their virtuosity.

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). The most important development of the period was, however, the overhaul of the cadenza. Composers begin writing their own, multi-page cadenza, allowing the cadenza 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 or what was not. The great Romantic concerti - examples of which are [[Antonin Dvorak]]'s [[Cello]] Concerto; [[Felix Mendelssohn]], [[Johannes Brahms]] and [[Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky]]'s [[Violin]] Concerti; and [[Carl Maria von Weber]]'s [[Viola]] Concerto - feature elaborate cadenzas which only the most advanced musicians can attempt to play due to their virtuosity.

Today, the concerto lives as one of the most often-performed styles of music. Many musicians still re-record the same concerti that have been recorded for nearly eight decades, although a practice of composing an individual, unique cadenza has become popular, particularly with violinists such as Joshua Bell.  

Today, the concerto lives as one of the most often-performed styles of music. Many musicians still re-record the same concerti that have been recorded for nearly eight decades, although a practice of composing an individual, unique cadenza has become popular, particularly with violinists such as Joshua Bell.  

[[Category:Music]]

[[Category:Music]]