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A concerto grosso <\/strong>(or concerti grossi<\/strong>, in the plural) was a common form of orchestral music during the Baroque<\/a><\/strong> era of music, around 1600-1750), although the form has been revisited by other composers since, particularly during the Neoclassical period<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The concerto grosso is most notable for the contrast it presents between a small group of soloists (often known as the concertino<\/em>) and an accompanying full orchestra (the ripieno<\/em>).<\/p>\n The concertino<\/em> part of the concerto grosso was typically performed as a trio sonata, a widespread chamber music<\/a><\/strong> genre during this time. Essentially, this involved two violins and one continuo<\/em> (made up of a bass instrument such as a cello, and a harmony instrument \u2013 a harpsichord, for example. Wind instruments were also common: flutes or oboes might replace the violins. Meanwhile, the ripieno<\/em> part was typically a string orchestra, once again with continuo and perhaps supported by brass or woodwind instruments.<\/p>\n Often, early concerti grossi would be given names that indicated where they were designed to be performed. Hence, a concerto da chiesa<\/em> (\u2018church concerto\u2019) was designed for performance in ecclesiastical surroundings, while a concerto da camera<\/em> (\u2018chamber concerto\u2019) would have been played at a royal or ducal court. Of the two, the secular world was ultimately where the concerto grosso form would blossom.<\/p>\n A concerto typically involves a solo instrument performing with, or sometimes against, an orchestral accompaniment. The most popular instruments for concertos (or concerti) are the piano and violin, although other instruments such as the cello, oboe, trumpet, clarinet and viola have had many wonderful concerti written for them.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> The concerto grosso form enjoyed its peak in popularity during the Baroque era<\/strong><\/a> (roughly 1600 to 1750). At that time, some notable composers including Arcangelo Corelli, Pietro Locatelli and Antonio Vivaldi<\/strong><\/a> employed the form. Corelli\u2019s 12 Concerti Grossi are justly famous: they are all absolutely delightful, and did much to set the mould of the concerto grosso that other composers could follow. The concertino element in these concerti consists of two violins and a cello.<\/p>\nWhat instruments play in a concerto grosso?<\/h3>\n
What\u2019s the difference between a concerto and a concerto grosso?<\/h3>\n
Which composers wrote a concerto grosso?<\/h3>\n