What does concertante mean?
Concertante is a chiefly musical term for music that gives individual performers prominent, contrasting roles. Such passages often resemble a dialogue or contest, with instruments or voices exchanging ideas, challenging one another, or displaying their distinctive timbres. The word can describe a composition, movement, style, or section of a larger work. It may also be used as a noun for an orchestral composition featuring two or more soloists. A concertante differs from an ordinary concerto chiefly in its emphasis on interaction among several performers rather than on one principal soloist. Concertante is common in specialist writing, concert notes, and discussions of classical and chamber music, but it is rarely necessary in informal conversation. The word is useful because it identifies not merely a musical format but a particular dramatic principle: performers remain distinct while contributing to a shared musical exchange.
Denoting music that gives individual instruments or voices prominent, contrasting parts, often in dialogue or competition.
"The composer wrote a lively concertante movement for flute and strings."
Chiefly used before a musical work, style, movement, passage, or effect.
A musical composition featuring two or more soloists in contrasting roles, typically with an orchestra or ensemble.
"The programme included a concertante for violin, cello, and orchestra."
As a noun, concertante is less common than its attributive adjectival use.
The plural is used for compositions in the concertante style.
"The festival presented concertantes for pairs of soloists and chamber orchestra."
Concertante turns a musical ensemble into a conversation, with every voice heard and every rivalry sharpened.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does concertante come from?
English borrowed concertante from Italian in the early nineteenth century. Italian concertante is the present participle of concertare, meaning to agree, harmonize, or tune together, and is ultimately connected with Latin concertare, “to strive together” or “agree.” The same development underlies related musical terms such as concerto and concert, while concerted reflects the shared idea of acting in agreement.
Related word forms
How concertante is actually used
Concertante is primarily a formal musical term. It is usually used attributively to describe a work, style, movement, passage, or performance; as a noun, it is comparatively uncommon.
Easily confused with concertante
A concerto is normally an orchestral composition featuring one principal soloist, whereas concertante emphasizes contrasting parts for multiple performers or instruments.