concerto

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concerto Musical work for instrumental soloists accompanied by orchestra. The earliest concertos are the 17th-century Concerto grosso (a small section of soloists on various instruments, the concertino, is contrasted with the full orchestra, the ripieno) written by Corelli and Torelli. J. S. Bach's Brandenburg Concertos are fine examples of this form. Vivaldi composed most of his concertos for one soloist and orchestra and used the three-movement form (fast-slow-fast) which was to become standard in Classical music, such as the brilliant concertos of Mozart and Beethoven. In the 19th century, concertos involved increasing virtuosity, particularly in the works of Liszt and Rachmaninov. Concertos have also been written for two or three soloists (double and triple concertos).

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