A History of the ConcertoMichael Roeder's A History of the Concerto traces the concerto from its origins in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to its incarnation in the present. Basic to the concerto idea is the division of the performance group into two parts - one solo and the other orchestral - but the relationships between these two have undergone fundamental changes over the centuries. In many of the more familiar works from the nineteenth century, the composer frequently juxtaposes a dazzling soloist against a more conservative orchestral voice, but this has not always been the case. The developing concerto form, while always maintaining the dramatic opposition of solo and orchestral forces, evolved many rich variations specific to time, place, and composer. Whether in Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Beethoven's "Emperor", or Calandrelli's Concerto for Jazz Clarinet, the dual elements of cooperation and contention come into play. The changing role of the soloist; the development of instruments; the evolution of music's function in society; the influence of local, regional, and international culture; and the composer's individual story are all part of Roeder's documentation of concerto history. The book is divided into four sections corresponding to the major historical-stylistic periods of Western music and of concerto development - Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century. Within these sections, attention is given to geographical regions where strikingly different approaches to concerto style are found. Roeder explores major works as well as the pieces of lesser-known composers whose contributions were important to the changing character of the concerto. A History of the Concerto may be readfrom cover to cover, but readers may also use the extensive index to focus on specific concertos and their composers. Numerous musical examples illuminate critical points. While some readers may want to study the more detailed analyses with scores in hand, this is not essential for an understanding of the text. Michael Roeder's lucid and detailed historical study of the concerto will inform and delight those interested in understanding this popular and dynamic musical form. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accompaniment Adagio Allegro Andante B-flat Bach's Baroque Bartók bass bassoon Beethoven Brahms Brandenburg Concerto brilliant cadenza Cello Concerto century certo chords clarinet Classical composers composition concertante concertino concerto grosso continuo contrast Corelli create D Major dominant Dvořák E-flat Major early elements final movement flute French G Major G Minor harmonic harpsichord Haydn horn improvised instru Italian J. S. Bach jazz keyboard keyboard instrument later Liszt lyrical main theme melody ment middle movement Minor Concerto moderato molto motive Mozart oboe octaves opera Paganini passages percussion performance pianist piano and orchestra Piano Concerto played recapitulation rhythm rhythmic ritornello Romantic rondo Schumann score second movement second theme slow movement solo exposition solo instrument solo sections solo violin Solo Vn soloist sonata Stravinsky strings style Symphony technique tempo texture thematic material theme Ex timpani tion tonal tonic traditional trumpet typical unusual variations viola Violin Concerto violinist virtuosic Vivaldi woodwinds wrote