Triple Concerto
tagStarted late 17th centuryPeak c. 1710–presentLast big hit still active
Triple concerto extends the concerto principle to three soloists, often producing the richest chamber-like interplay inside a full orchestral setting. The sound can be exhilaratingly social—solos trade motifs, pair off, or combine as a mini-ensemble before the full orchestra re-enters—so texture and coordination become as important as virtuoso display.
History
Baroque composers wrote many concertos for multiple solo instruments, and Bach’s BWV 1044 remains a central landmark. Beethoven’s *Triple Concerto* gave the format classical prestige, while later composers such as Martinu, Schnittke, Penderecki, Tippett, and others explored modern variants.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- Concerto for Three Violins in F major, RV 551 — Europa GalanteSpotifyYouTube
- Concerto for Flute, Violin, Harpsichord and Strings, BWV 1044 — Trevor Pinnock and The English ConcertSpotifyYouTube
- Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56 — David Oistrakh, Mstislav Rostropovich, Sviatoslav Richter, and Berlin PhilharmonicSpotifyYouTube
- Concerto for Piano Trio and String Orchestra — Beaux Arts Trio and Stuttgart Chamber OrchestraSpotifyYouTube
- Concerto Grosso No. 1 for Three Cellos and Orchestra — Boris Pergamenschikow, Truls Mork, Han-Na Chang, and London Symphony OrchestraSpotifyYouTube
- Concerto Grosso No. 6 — Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet, and Mstislav RostropovichSpotifyYouTube
Sources
- Britannica on concerto and concerto grosso, plus documented modern continuations of multi-solo concerto practice.