Offering a survey of the growth and development of the concerto form, from its origins in the 17th century to the present day, this work aims to assist those who wish to understand more about this perennially popular form and expand their knowledge of the concerto repertoire. The analyses avoid abstruse technical jargon, and are accompanied by over 130 music examples. Among the many contributors are Dr Robert Simpson, who discusses Beethoven's concertos ; H. C. Robbins Landon, scholar of the Viennese classical period; David Brown, authority on 19th century Russian music; Michael Kennedy, author of studies on Elgar and Britten, and Peter Dickinson, composer and writer on American music. Robert Layton provides an introduction and discography, and writes on the concerto in Scandinavia and the modern Russian concerto.