Turner+-+Classical+Concerto

= __The Classical Concerto __ =   The Classical Concerto was a popular form of music from 1750 until 1830. A concerto is defined as a long piece of music divided into three movements. The word concerto comes from the Latin word meaning “to contend or dispute”. It is believed that this was the idea behind the first concerto type of music, where the second movement “disputes” the first and third movement. The classical concerto genre can be broken down even more specifically, the solo concerto and the regular classical concerto. The Regular Classical Concerto is made up of three movements. The first and third movement frame and contrast the second movement. Usually, it is the first and third movements that are faster and more upbeat, where the second movement is slower. The last movement is usually in rondo form and may introduce new and exotic themes. During a Solo Classical Concerto, the soloist plays what is known as a cadenza, which is a fanciful solo passage performed as an improvised solo that interrupts the movement towards the end. In the solo concerto, the cadenza plays a dramatic effect. The orchestra falls silent as the soloist launches into the solo that is improvised on one or more themes from the movement. The following clip is of J.S. Bach’s Piano Concerto Number 7 in G Minor. It is an example of a Solo Concerto. The piano is the featured solo instrum ent  and the strings are the accompaniment to the piano. The piano plays variations on the theme while the string orchestra supports the piano musically. media type="youtube" key="wyOf_L4cNHc" height="385" width="480"  In a Regular Classical Concerto, the whole orchestra plays all three movements, but there still is one instrumental player that acts as the soloist. The first movement is when the common musical theme or themes are presented. The Soloist will play an elaborated version of the theme, and will sometimes add new material as well. The orchestra and soloist are usually in a dialogue with one another. They then bring the general theme back to the forefront and a coda ends the first movement. The following clip is of Mozart’s Piano Concerto Number Nine. The piano is featured as the solo instrument and the orchestra plays in a dialogue with the piano. This piece also shows the faster tempo of the music and the common musical theme being presented. The piano plays it and the rest of the orchestra mimic the theme and then play variations on it. media type="youtube" key="hIkk3IPuoOU" height="385" width="480"  The second movement is known as the slower movement, usually preformed in Andante or Adagio. This movement is the most lyrical and features the soloist performing a songlike melody or variation of the themes, sometimes as a cadenza. The second movement is usually written in a contrasting key that is close to the tonic of the first and third movement. The following song is the second movement of J.S. Bach’s Double Violin Concerto in D Minor. The two violins hold the melody and solo of the piece while the rest of the orchestra, support the solo. Another interesting feature to note is the use of a harpsichord in this piece rather than a piano. media type="youtube" key="Fo0K_n3VLG4" height="385" width="480"  The third movement is known as the fast movement, usually written in Allegro Molto or Presto. It is the shortest movement of the three. Both the orchestra and the soloist play. Similar to the first movement, they play variations on the theme or themes. This movement may contain its own cadenza that may call for virtuoso playing and this brings the Classical concerto to an exciting end.

There were only a small variety of instruments that were used during the original time of the Classical Concerto. By the end of the 1700’s, there were four types of woodwind instruments: flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons. These instruments were featured usually in pairs. Trumpets, horns and the timpani were also featured in pairs. A string choir was also a prominent fixture in the orchestra. This featured first and second violins, violas, cellos, and stringed basses. Pianos were only added for piano concertos, where the piano was featured as a solo or as an accompaniment to the orchestra. 


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