concertante

[ kon-ser-tahn-tee; Italian kawn-cher-tahn-te ]

adjective

1. brilliantly virtuosic:

   a concertante part for solo violin.

2. solo rather than accompanying:

   a sonata for recorder and harpsichord concertante.

noun

, plural con·cer·tan·ti [kon-ser-, tahn, -tee, kawn-che, r, -, tahn, -tee].

1. an 18th-century symphonic work with sections for solo instruments.

concertante

/ ˌkɒntʃəˈtæntɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by contrasting alternating tutti and solo passages

noun

1. a composition characterized by such contrasts

Word History and Origins

Origin of concertante¹

1720–30; < Italian, present participle of concertare to give a concert; -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of concertante¹

C18: from Italian, from concertare to perform a concert, from concerto concert

Example Sentences

Salonen also happened to suggest that his new Sinfonia Concertante for organ and orchestra, which he performed a week earlier with the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

But bringing the Sinfonia Concertante home again will be a must.

From Los Angeles Times

The Sinfonia Concertante, is, on the other hand, boldly cinematic.

From Los Angeles Times

The Sinfonia Concertante this time turns first to a pavane, the Baroque-style dance treated to constant variation both in the orchestra and the organ.

From Los Angeles Times

What: Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the U.S. premiere of his Sinfonia Concertante with organist Iveta Apkalna as soloist; program also includes ballets by Stravinsky and Bartok When: 2 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times