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A concerto (from the Italian: concerto, plural concerti or, often, the anglicizes form concertos) is a musical composition usually composed in three parts or movements, in which (usually) one solo instrument (for instance, a piano, violin, cello or flute) is accompanied by an orchestra or concert band.
The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words conserver meaning to tie, to Join, to weave) and certain (competition, fight): the idea is that the two parts in a concerto, the soloist and the orchestra or concert band, alternate episodes of opposition, cooperation, and independence in the creation of the music flow. The concerto, as understood in this modern way, arose in the Baroque period side by side with the concerto gross, which contrasted a small group of instruments with the rest of the orchestra.
The popularity of the concerto gross form declined after the Baroque period, and the genre was not revived until the 20th century. The solo concerto, however, has remained a vital musical force from its inception to this day. There’s plenty of brightly glittering passageways and rich diapason sound in such movements as the piccalilli-like first of Pop 7 No 1; while the softer side of the instrument is particularly appealing in Pop 4 No 5, where Nicholson, doubtless unconscious that this is a transcription of a recorder sonata, draws from it some very sweet sounds.
It has a mechanical action, and here and there the incidental noise may be disconcerting. Still, it’s authentic, so possibly we should be grateful to have it reproduced. There’s some very lively and at times virtuoso playing from Nicholson in the quick movements, with sturdy rhythms, and some of the dance movements go with a good swing too. Www. Wisped. Com/concerto/harp Music History By gable 1 1