Page 96 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

94 ITALIAN BAROQUE SOLO CONCERTO

IN CONTEXT
FOCUS
Italian Baroque solo
concerto
BEFORE
1692 Giuseppe Torelli, based
in Bologna, publishes the first
of three collections of concertos
that give a new prominence to
the solo violinist.
1707 Concertos published by
the Venetian Tomaso Albinoni
use the three-movement
(fast–slow–fast) structure that
will become the standard.

1721 J.S. Bach’s six
Brandenburg Concertos use
the structure and principles
standardized by Vivaldi in
his concertos.
AFTER
1773 Mozart composes his
first violin concerto using the
three-movement structure.

n Italy, in the 1720s, Vivaldi fluidly to describe works written The Ospedale della Pietà, a
was best known as a composer for combined ensembles, whether foundling hospital on the Grand Canal
I of operas, but in northern of voices and instruments or in Venice, where Vivaldi became violin
Europe—as well as after the comprising different groups of master in 1703. The ospedale had an
composer’s death—his fame instruments. In Rome, for example, all-female choir and orchestra.
rested on his concertos, a form he Arcangelo Corelli wrote concerti
shaped, developed, and made his grossi for an ensemble of two violinist and composer Giuseppe
own, perhaps most famously in violins and keyboard. These Torelli wrote works for solo violin
Le quattro stagioni (The Four instruments could be joined by a and a larger instrumental ensemble,
Seasons) of 1725. larger string ensemble, the role of while in Venice, wealthy amateur
Since Vivaldi’s day, the word which was more to augment than Tomaso Albinoni composed
“concerto” has found a clear to stand in musical contrast to the beautiful oboe concertos. Written
meaning as a piece for one or smaller group. for one or two oboes and a larger
more instrumental soloists and ensemble, they were among the
an orchestra: a solo concerto The concerto develops first notable solo works written
showcases one musician; a It was in Northern Italy, and Venice for the instrument.
concerto grosso (“big concerto”) in particular, that the concerto In the works of both Torelli and
has two or more. Before Vivaldi, started to take the form that Vivaldi Albinoni, a contrast was starting to
however, the term was used more would come to use. In Bologna, emerge between the solo sections

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