Locatelli Concerto Grosso Op. 1 No. 1

Locatelli: Concerto Grosso in C minor, Op. 1 No. 8 (with realised Harpsichord Part)

Locatelli studied under Corelli in Rome, and the XII Concerti Grossi, Op. 1, sit firmly in the tradition his teacher established: a concertino trio of two solo violins and cello set against the full ripieno ensemble, the two groups alternating, combining, and contrasting throughout. Op. 1 No. 8 in C minor is among the most dramatic works in the collection. The minor key gives it a serious, driven character, and the writing for both the concertino soloists and the ripieno strings is demanding and expressive.

This is a new edition prepared from the original score, with a fully realised harpsichord continuo part. The edition maintains the clear distinction between concertino and ripieno parts that the concerto grosso form requires, and a properly worked-out harpsichord part completes the harmonic texture and provides the rhythmic foundation the ensemble needs.

The concertino parts call for serious technique: virtuosic passage work, close ensemble coordination between the three soloists, and the ability to project clearly against the full ripieno when the two groups play together. The ripieno parts sit at a more accessible level, but they carry the structural weight of the piece and need clean, stylistically aware playing throughout. For all performers, understanding how to make the contrast between concertino and ripieno register as a musical argument rather than a structural diagram is the central interpretive challenge.

At fifteen minutes, this is a substantial concert work that needs a committed ensemble to prepare properly.

See and hear the difference

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear sense of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: Concertino (2 Solo Violins + Solo Cello) + Ripieno String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) + Harpsichord (realised continuo)
• Difficulty: Advanced (concertino soloists); Intermediate to Advanced (ripieno)
• Duration: approximately 15 minutes
• Style focus: concerto grosso form, concertino/ripieno contrast, Baroque articulation
• Edition: new edition prepared from the original score, with fully realised harpsichord continuo part
• Format: PDF download, full score, all parts (concertino and ripieno), and harpsichord part

Who it's for

This suits chamber orchestras and professional or semi-professional ensembles looking for a substantial Baroque work with solo roles across violin and cello. The fifteen-minute duration and the concerto grosso format make it a strong centrepiece for a Baroque-themed concert, or a serious programming choice alongside later orchestral repertoire. The continuo realisation makes it practical for any ensemble with a keyboard player.