Concerto Grosso (Vaughan Williams)

Concerto Grosso is a work for string orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Originally composed in 1950 for a performance by the Rural Schools Music Association conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, the piece is unique in that the orchestra is split into three sections based on skill: Concertino (Advanced), Tutti (Intermediate), and Ad Lib (Novice) which only plays open strings. The piece is in five movements, and performances generally run for 14 minutes.

Movements

 * I. Intrada: A dramatic theme that features heavy string writing
 * II. Burlesca Ostinata: A sprightly movement making brilliant use of perfect fifths to allow the "Ad Lib" players (who can only play open strings (tuned in intervals of perfect fifths) to play the theme.
 * III. Sarabande: A slow movement in triple time as indicated by the movement's name
 * IV. Scherzo: An energetic but lyrical short scherzo and a small coda
 * V. March and Reprise: A very lively march with much syncopation, leading seamlessly into a full reprise of the first movement.