For the somewhat older contemporary Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773), Albinoni was - along with Vivaldi - the father of the definitive concerto form. "While Torelli (like Corelli) consistently contrasted concertino (usually 2 violins plus violoncello/continuo) and ripieno (orchestra), i.e. solo and tutti, the principle of what was to become known as the concerto form and the solo concerto, in which one or more instruments now compete with the tutti, is first found in the six violin concertos of the Sinfonie e Concerti a cinque op. 2 (Venice 1700) by Vivaldi's older colleague Tomaso Albinoni" (S. Rampe, Antonio Vivaldi und seine Zeit, 2010, s.96 ). The concerto selected here from this collection lasts only about five and a half minutes. From small beginnings great things can develop, one might say, thinking of the history of violin concertos, indeed of concert literature in general. Moreover, Albinoni was actually an amateur musician, for by profession he was an entrepreneur in his father's business, which was a playing card manufacturer. So an amateur had a lasting impact on the professional music scene.
It is hardly conclusive whether this concerto from the Venetian Albinoni's Opus 2 really represents the first violin concerto in music history? Or does the honour belong to Giuseppe Torelli in Bologna? (cf. Torelli). Beginnings usually lie in obscurity. But what has been preserved we can still hear.

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