ENGLISH
REFERENCE

concerto

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //kənˈtʃɛɹtoʊ// UK //kəntʃˈeətəʊ// con·cer·to

n. a long piece of music written for one main instrument and a large group of musicians. It usually has three parts and lets the main player show their skill.

n. a musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra. Typically structured in three movements following a fast-slow-fast pattern.


SIMPLE

She is practicing a famous violin concerto for the concert.

CONTEXTUAL

The pianist received a standing ovation after performing a difficult Rachmaninoff concerto with the national symphony.

COMPLEX

While the Baroque concerto grosso featured a small group of soloists, the Romantic era shifted focus toward the individual virtuoso battling or leading the full orchestral force.

Origin

Borrowed from Italian concerto, deverbal from concertare. Doublet of concert.

Usage

The plural can be formed as 'concertos' or the Italian 'concerti', though the former is more common in general English.

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