Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit explores the development of the concerto through the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. Lessons focus on typical features and how these evolved in relation to stylistic trends during those periods. It also includes analysis of a series of case studies, exemplifying the developments.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to analyse key features of the concerto grosso.

Key Notes

• The concerto grosso is a type of Baroque concerto that includes more than one soloist.
• The group of soloists is called the concertino. It usually has two or three performers, most commonly violin and cello.
• The accompanying group is called the ripieno, normally based around strings and continuo.
• The concertino and ripieno interact in different ways, creating contrast.

Vocabulary To Learn

• concerto grosso: a type of Baroque concerto that includes more than one soloist
• ripieno: the name for the group of accompanying instruments in a concerto grosso
• concertino: the name for the group of soloists in a concerto grosso

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• A concerto grosso is exactly the same as a concerto, just with more than one soloist.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• The baroque solo concerto Study Guide
• The concerto in the Classical period Study Guide
• The piano concerto through time Study Guide
• The romantic concerto Study Guide