History of the Concerto - (Amadeus) by Michael Thomas Roeder (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This lucid guide traces the concerto's evolution over the major periods of music: baroque, classical, romantic, and 20th century. The compositions of each important composer are discussed in detail, making this a useful companion to the form.

From the Back Cover

Michael Roeder's A History of the Concerto traces the concerto from its origins in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to its incarnation in the present. Basic to the concerto idea is the division of the performance group into two parts - one solo and the other orchestral - but the relationships between these two have undergone fundamental changes over the centuries. In many of the more familiar works from the nineteenth century, the composer frequently juxtaposes a dazzling soloist against a more conservative orchestral voice, but this has not always been the case. The developing concerto form, while always maintaining the dramatic opposition of solo and orchestral forces, evolved many rich variations specific to time, place, and composer. Whether in Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Beethoven's "Emperor", or Calandrelli's Concerto for Jazz Clarinet, the dual elements of cooperation and contention come into play. The changing role of the soloist; the development of instruments; the evolution of music's function in society; the influence of local, regional, and international culture; and the composer's individual story are all part of Roeder's documentation of concerto history. The book is divided into four sections corresponding to the major historical-stylistic periods of Western music and of concerto development - Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century. Within these sections, attention is given to geographical regions where strikingly different approaches to concerto style are found. Roeder explores major works as well as the pieces of lesser-known composers whose contributions were important to the changing character of the concerto. A History of the Concerto may be readfrom cover to cover, but readers may also use the extensive index to focus on specific concertos and their composers. Numerous musical examples illuminate critical points. While some readers may want to study the more detailed analyses with scores in hand, this is not essential for an understanding of the text. Michael Roeder's lucid and detailed historical study of the concerto will inform and delight those interested in understanding this popular and dynamic musical form.

About the Author

Michael Thomas Roeder is a professor at the University of Alberta, where he recently received the A. C. Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. His articles have appeared in the Canadian Association of University Schools of Music Journal and The Music Review. He has written and spoken extensively on the concerto, specifically on the baroque concerto, Alban Berg's Violin Concerto, the keyboard concertos of J. C. Bach and Mozart, and the influence of jazz on concert music. Dr. Roeder lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.