concerto Hear it!

concerto Definition

con·certo (kən c̸her′tō)

noun pl. -·tos or -·ti-tē

a musical composition for one or more solo instruments and an orchestra, usually in three symphonic movements

Etymology: It: see concert,

concerto Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • harp: Britten had in fact always been intending to write a harp concerto, so had been studying the instrument.
  • compose: I heard him boast of composing a concerto in all its parts quicker than a copyist could write them down.
  • perform: Music Scholars normally perform a complete concerto with orchestra in the Sixth Form.
  • write: He's also had five concertos written for him with a couple more in the pipeline.

Adjective modifier

  • romantic: From its famously commanding opening to its adrenalin-pumping conclusion, there's no doubting the epic status of this great Romantic concerto.

Modifies a noun

  • grosso: One was the opening movement of Chausson's Piano Quartet, the other was a concerto grosso by John Avison.
  • soloist: From 1997 to 2002 she was leader of The English Concert with whom she toured throughout the world, often as concerto soloist.
  • debut: Emily Segal made her concerto debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.
  • appearance: Subsequently, he has made concerto appearances throughout the country.

Noun used with modifier

  • violin: In the violin concerto, the second movement opens with a beautiful melody played by the oboe.
  • cello: Another famous work of Elgar's is his cello concerto.
  • piano: The piano concerto was played with similar virtues to the fore.
  • clarinet: As with the clarinet concertos, the bulk of the musical drama takes place in the first movement.
  • oboe: He has recently completed an oboe concerto commissioned by the John Lewis Partnership for Nick Daniel for 10 performances in October 1998.
  • bassoon: His recent bassoon concerto was recorded on the ASV CD of English bassoon concerti.

Preposition: with

  • orchestra: Music Scholars normally perform a complete concerto with orchestra in the Sixth Form.

Preposition: for

  • clarinet: Featuring concertos including sonatas for two pianos, concertos for clarinet, flute and harp.
  • violin: The later version turns the work into a full-blown concerto for four solo violins and orchestral strings.
  • orchestra: This concerto is as much a concerto for orchestra as it is a concerto for piano.
  • piano: In 1924 he became famous: he wrote Rhapsody in Blue as a concerto for piano and Paul Whiteman's jazz band.