Final answer:
The Concerto Grosso was the direct ancestor of the symphony in the Baroque era. Option A is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Concerto Grosso was the direct ancestor of the symphony in the Baroque era. A concerto grosso is a musical composition for a small group of solo instruments (the concertino) accompanied by an orchestra (the ripieno). It typically consists of several contrasting movements, showcasing the virtuosity of the soloists.
One of the most famous composers of the concerto grosso was Arcangelo Corelli, whose works greatly influenced later composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.