concerto grosso
noun
concerto gros·so
-ˈgrō-(ˌ)sō 
-ˈgrȯ-
-ˈgrȯ-
plural concerti grossi
-ˈgrō-(ˌ)sē
-ˈgrȯ-
: a baroque orchestral composition featuring a small group of solo instruments contrasting with the full orchestra
Examples of concerto grosso in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On March 2, the ensemble finds a beautiful metaphor for its organizational model in the concerto grosso, a Baroque form in which multiple soloists spin glittery lines in dialogue with a larger unit of players.
—
The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2024
The concert showcases the concerto grosso form with works by Purcell, Corelli, Vivaldi and Handel.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024
Bach expounded on the typical form of a concerto grosso—in which a small string contingent share soloist duties against a larger band—by including brass and woodwinds.
—The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2021
Smith, who grew up in Albany Park, says the gnashing, relentless work is loosely inspired by a Baroque concerto grosso, but the similarities mostly end with its ensemble size and three-movement structure.
—Hannah Edgar, chicagotribune.com, 2 Nov. 2021
Scored for chamber orchestra, the piece functions as something of a concerto grosso.
—Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, 6 May 2018
His knack for keeping textures spotless, rhythms sharply etched, yielded an idiomatic rendition of Bartok’s mid-20th-century take on the baroque concerto grosso.
—John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 3 Nov. 2017
As the piece proceeds, players return to their other instruments — strings, clarinets, flutes, cello, and marimba — and a kind of concerto grosso emerges.
—Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, 20 Oct. 2017
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The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2024
The concert showcases the concerto grosso form with works by Purcell, Corelli, Vivaldi and Handel.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2024
Bach expounded on the typical form of a concerto grosso—in which a small string contingent share soloist duties against a larger band—by including brass and woodwinds.
—The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2021
Smith, who grew up in Albany Park, says the gnashing, relentless work is loosely inspired by a Baroque concerto grosso, but the similarities mostly end with its ensemble size and three-movement structure.
—Hannah Edgar, chicagotribune.com, 2 Nov. 2021
Scored for chamber orchestra, the piece functions as something of a concerto grosso.
—Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, 6 May 2018
His knack for keeping textures spotless, rhythms sharply etched, yielded an idiomatic rendition of Bartok’s mid-20th-century take on the baroque concerto grosso.
—John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 3 Nov. 2017
As the piece proceeds, players return to their other instruments — strings, clarinets, flutes, cello, and marimba — and a kind of concerto grosso emerges.
—Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, 20 Oct. 2017
Dictionary Entries Near concerto grosso
Cite this Entry
“Concerto grosso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concerto%20grosso. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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