concerto grosso

American  

[kuhn-cher-toh groh-soh, kawn-cher-taw graws-saw] / kənˈtʃɛr toʊ ˈgroʊ soʊ, kɔnˈtʃɛr tɔ ˈgrɔs sɔ /

noun

concerti grossi, plural concerto grossos plural

1. a musical form, common in the Baroque period, in which contrasting sections are played by full orchestra and by a small group of soloists.

---

concerto grosso British  

/ ˈɡrɒsəʊ /

noun

1. a composition for an orchestra and a group of soloists, chiefly of the baroque period

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• concerti grossi
  plural
• concerto grossos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of concerto grosso

1715–25; < Italian: literally, big concert; see gross

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

concerto grosso

Naturally more of a showcase for the players, though, was Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, a beloved reimagining of the Baroque concerto grosso for the 20th century.

From New York Times ● Jan. 12, 2024

In the early 1970s, Mr. Coleman began writing a concerto grosso called “Skies of America,”eventually recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1972.

From New York Times ● Jun. 11, 2015

The range and complexity of Manguel's sympathies and readings is extensive and baroque; a concerto grosso.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 30, 2010

Scored in Bach's concerto grosso style for flute, oboe and trumpet solo plus strings, it smacks more of Stravinsky than Bach, has a sensuous eeriness typical of some of Barber's later works.

From Time Magazine Archive

Corelli’s typical concerto grosso was divided into three sections of contrasting speeds - slow-fast-slow or fast-slow-fast - after the fashion of the earlier consort suites or setts.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall