Concerto Grosso and Ritornello Form

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Concerto Grosso and Ritornello Form
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Concerto Grosso

• A kind of piece, not the name of a specific
  piece

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All about contrast

• Loud and soft
• Large group small group
• Small group of soloists (2-4) contrasts with
• Larger orchestra (8-20)
• Tutti (meaning all)
• Soloists vs. orchestra
• Contrast of texture

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Concerto Grosso

• Several Movements
• Contrast in tempo and character
• First movement
• Fast and vigorous
• Second movement
• Slow and lyrical
• Third Movement
• Fast and lively (dancelike)

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Program Example

• Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major
• J. S. Bach
• Allegro
• Adagio
• Allegro

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Ritornello form

• The usual form used in the 1st and 3rd movements
• Alternates tutti and solo sections
• Tutti starts with ritornello theme
• Like the chorus in a country tune
• Then the soloists play other melodies
• Tutti returns with part of the the ritornello
  theme
• This continues
• Tutti ends with ritornello theme