CONCERTO GROSSO. I. An Orchestral Concerto; i.e. a succession of Movements, played by two or more Solo Instruments; accompanied by a full, or stringed Orchestra.
Handel's so-called ‘Concertante
’ is a composition of this kind, written for two Solo Violins, and Violoncello, accompanied by Stringed Instruments and Hautboys. Eleven out of the twelve well-known Grand Concertos, by the same Composer, are written for a similar assemblage of Solo Instruments, accompanied by Stringed Instruments and Continuo...