Mus. [Ital.; the original word whence Fr. and Eng. CONCERT.] A composition for one, or sometimes more, solo instruments accompanied by orchestra; now almost always in three movements. (Formerly applied more widely to various compositions for a number of instruments.)
1730. A. Malcolm, Treat. Musick, 416. A Concerto, Sonata, or Cantata.
1766. Entick, London, IV. 447. Several … songs are performed, with sonatas or concertos between each.
1845. E. Holmes, Mozart, 253. He kept closely within the limit and signification of the term concerto, as a piece of combination for instruments, with a principal part for one.
1880. Prout, in Grove, Dict. Mus., s.v., The example of Beethoven in his E ♭ concerto led … to the disuse of the … cadenza.
