The concerto is one of the most popular and important genres of baroque music. There are concerti for solo instruments, others for groups of instruments, and some that even feature the entire orchestra! Invented by Italians and brought to perfection by Germans, concerti were written by composers from all across Europe with the intent to show off their own virtuosity, or that of a colleague or of a specific orchestra. This program will trace the history of the concerto from its beginnings in Italy to its flowering north of the Alps, with music by Torelli, Corelli, Vivaldi, Handel, Heinichen, Corrette, and J.C. Bach.