The Return of the Concerto Grosso in the 20th Century
The concerto grosso, a type of instrumental ensemble composition that gained popularity during the Baroque period,
experienced a resurgence in the 20th century.
Baroque Origins and Classical Revival
The concerto grosso originated in Italy during the early 17th century as an ensemble work. It typically consisted of large orchestra accompanied by a smaller group known as the soloists, or the concertino. The Baroque period saw its rise to fame, with notable composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli. However, by the Classical period, it fell out of favor in favor of sonata form.
In the 19th century, there was a renewed interest in the concerto grosso due in part to the discovery of ancient manuscripts from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods.
20th Century Revival
A revival of the concerto grosso style began in the early 20th century. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including a renewed interest in classical music and the discovery of previously unknown works from the Baroque period.
- Henry Cowell’s Concerto for Orchestra (1936-1940) – considered one of the first large-scale examples of the concerto grosso since the time of Vivaldi.
- William Schuman's Symphony No. 3, The Symphony of Threnody (1950-1955) – features a concerto grosso movement.
Conclusion
The concerto grosso experienced a resurgence in the 20th century, driven by renewed interest in classical music and discoveries from the Baroque period.
References
- 'Concerto Grosso.' in The Cambridge Companion to Haydn and His World ed. Michael Pusey (Cambridge University Press, 2005), pp 269-282.