A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Concertino

by Ebenezer Prout

CONCERTINO (Ital., dim. of Concerto). A piece for one or more solo instruments with orchestral accompaniment, which differs from the Concerto in its much greater conciseness. The concertino is less restricted in form than the concerto; it may be in three short movements, which are usually connected; but it more often consists of one rather long movement, in which the time may be changed or a middle part in slower tempo be introduced episodically. As good examples may be cited Weber's 'Concertino' for clarinet, op. 26, and Schumann's 'Introduction and Allegro Appassionato,' op. 92, for piano and orchestra. For some not very obvious reason the form is much less frequently used for the piano than for the violin or other orchestral instruments.

[ E. P. ]

[App. p.596 "CONCERTINO (i. e. a little Concert).

I. A term applied to the little band of Solo Instruments employed in a Concerto Grosso—which see. The title of Corelli's Concertos is, Concerti grossi con due Violini e Violoncello di Concertino obbligati, e due altri Violini e Basso di Concerto grosso ad arbitrio che si potramo radoppare.

II. A Concerto on a small scale. See vol. i. p. 387 a."]

[ W. S. R. ]