Locatelli Concerto Grosso Op. 1 No. 4

Locatelli: Concerto Grosso in E minor, Op. 1 No. 4 (with realised Harpsichord Part)

Op. 1 No. 4 is the E minor concerto from Locatelli's XII Concerti Grossi, a collection in the Corelli tradition: a concertino trio of two solo violins and cello set against the full ripieno strings, the two groups defining the musical argument between them. The E minor key gives this concerto a different character from the more openly dramatic C minor works in the collection. The harmonic tension is more inward, the lyrical passages more sustained, and the overall weight of the piece more contained than declamatory.

This is a new edition prepared from the original score, with a fully realised harpsichord continuo part. 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: demanding passage work, close coordination between the three soloists, and clear projection against the full ripieno. The ripieno parts sit at a more accessible level but need careful, stylistically aware playing to carry the structural weight of a fifteen-minute work. Understanding how to make the concertino/ripieno contrast speak as a musical conversation rather than a formal procedure is the interpretive challenge that holds the piece together.

At fifteen minutes, it is a serious concert work that rewards thorough preparation.

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 10 minutes
• Style focus: concerto grosso form, E minor character, concertino/ripieno contrast
• 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 E minor key gives it a more inward, lyrical character than the C minor Op. 1 No. 8, and the two make a natural pairing for programmes that want contrasting Baroque concerto grosso works. The continuo realisation makes it practical for any ensemble with a keyboard player.