Concerto Grosso is a work for string orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Originally composed in 1950 for a performance by the Rural Schools Music Association conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, the piece is unique in that the orchestra is split into three sections based on skill: Concertino (Advanced), Tutti (Intermediate), and Ad Lib (Novice) which only plays open strings. The piece is in five movements, and performances generally run for 14 minutes.
Movements
- I. Intrada: A dramatic theme that features heavy string writing
- II. Burlesca Ostinata: A sprightly movement making brilliant use of perfect fifths to allow the "Ad Lib" players (who can only play open strings (tuned in intervals of perfect fifths) to play the theme.
- III. Sarabande: A slow movement in triple time as indicated by the movement's name
- IV. Scherzo: An energetic but lyrical short scherzo and a small coda
- V. March and Reprise: A very lively march with much syncopation, leading seamlessly into a full reprise of the first movement.
References
- Alain Frogley; Aidan J. Thomson (14 November 2013). The Cambridge Companion to Vaughan Williams. Cambridge Companions to Music. Cambridge University Press. p. 238. ISBN 978-1-107-65026-8.
| Ralph Vaughan Williams | |
|---|---|
| List of compositions | |
| Opera | |
| Ballet | |
| Orchestral works |
|
| Concertante | |
| Chamber music | |
| Choral music | |
| Vocal music | |
| Incidental music | |
| Film scores |
|
| Other compositions | |
| Namesakes | |
| Related articles | |
 Category | |
 | This article about a concerto is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |