Symphony vs. Concerto — What's the Difference?

A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, written by composers, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning common today: a work usually consisting of multiple distinct sections or movements, often four, with the first movement in sonata form.

A concerto (; plural concertos, or concerti from the Italian plural) is, from the late Baroque era, mostly understood as an instrumental composition, written for one or more soloists accompanied by an orchestra or other ensemble. The typical three-movement structure, a slow movement (e.g., lento or adagio) preceded and followed by fast movements (e.g.

An extended piece in three or more movements for symphony orchestra.

A composition for an orchestra and one or more solo instruments, typically in three movements.

An instrumental passage in a vocal or choral composition.

(music) A piece of music for one or more solo instruments and orchestra.

An instrumental overture or interlude, as in early opera.

A composition (usually in symphonic form with three movements) in which one instrument (or two or three) stands out in bold relief against the orchestra, or accompaniment, so as to display its qualities or the performer's skill.

A symphony orchestra.

A composition for orchestra and a soloist

An orchestral concert.

Harmony, especially of sound or color.

Something characterized by a harmonious combination of elements.

An extended piece of music of sophisticated structure, usually for orchestra.

(music) An instrumental introduction or termination to a vocal composition.

Harmony in music or colour, or a harmonious combination of elements.

A symphony orchestra.

A consonance or harmony of sounds, agreeable to the ear, whether the sounds are vocal or instrumental, or both.

A stringed instrument formerly in use, somewhat resembling the virginal.

An elaborate instrumental composition for a full orchestra, consisting usually, like the sonata, of three or four contrasted yet inwardly related movements, as the allegro, the adagio, the minuet and trio, or scherzo, and the finale in quick time. The term has recently been applied to large orchestral works in freer form, with arguments or programmes to explain their meaning, such as the "symphonic poems" of Liszt. The term was formerly applied to any composition for an orchestra, as overtures, etc., and still earlier, to certain compositions partly vocal, partly instrumental.

A long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra

A large orchestra; can perform symphonies;