concerto grosso

American  

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

noun

plural

concerti grossi, concerto grossos

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.

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concerto grosso British  

/ ˈɡrɒsəʊ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of concerto grosso

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

Example Sentences

Bristling with virtuosic instrumental solos across the full range of the orchestral palette, it’s like a concerto grosso posing as a symphony.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2015

Roscoe Mitchell rearranged a trio version of his often-revisited “Nonaah” into an engaging concerto grosso, but again some of the playing sounded tentative.

From New York Times • Jul. 25, 2010

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

From The Guardian • Apr. 30, 2010

Ellington's compositions for jazz band and orchestra usually stay within a concerto grosso form that lets the band handle the jazz, while the orchestra plays its own fiddle.

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