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
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'concerto grosso.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Italian, literally, big concerto
First Known Use
1776, in the meaning defined above
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 16 Apr. 2024.
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