The title is 'tongue-in-cheek', as castanets are an unpitched percussion instrument that aren't really capable of being 'a soloist' in a concerto. However, they do start the piece and show up, 'doing their thing', throughout.
A 'concertino' is a short concerto (features a soloist), and is usually one movement in duration. The 'soloist' here is the orchestra itself.... which moves and flies around the castanets.
This little piece contains one of my favourite endings. Endings are hard.
Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, English Horn in F, E-Flat Clarinet, 2 Clarinets in B-Flat/A, B-Flat Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, Contra Bassoon, 4 French Horns in F, 2 B-Flat Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Timpani(4), Bongos, Snare Drum, Piccolo Snare Drum, Wood Block, Castanets, Drum Sticks, Xylophone, Harp, Piano, Violin I, Violin II, Viola I, Viola II, Viola III, Celli I, Cello II, Celli III, Double Bass I, Double Bass II, Double Bass III
Art work: Old Woman Dancing with Castanets by Francisco Goya
