Symphony vs. Concerto — What's the Difference?

Known for thematic development and orchestral interplay.

A musical composition featuring a soloist accompanied by an orchestra.

A complex orchestral composition in several movements.

Balances solo virtuosity with orchestral collaboration.

Represents a pinnacle of orchestral achievement.

Popular in both Baroque and Classical periods.

Emphasizes a variety of musical expressions and dynamics.

Structured around three movements with potential cadenzas.

Performed by a full orchestra, including a wide range of instruments.

Often showcases a particular instrument’s capabilities.

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;

A symphony involves the entire orchestra with multiple complex parts, whereas a concerto focuses on a soloist accompanied by an orchestra.

A typical symphony has three to four movements.

Virtually any instrument can be featured as a soloist in a concerto, from pianos and violins to less common instruments like the marimba or saxophone.

A cadenza is an elaborate, solo passage where the soloist plays unaccompanied, typically towards the end of a movement.

Yes, composers like Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart are celebrated for their significant contributions to both symphonic and concerto repertoires.

Concertos have evolved from the simple Baroque forms focusing on instrumental brilliance to more complex structures in the Romantic era that explore deep emotional expressions.

In a symphony, the conductor focuses on the unity and balance of the entire orchestra, while in a concerto, the conductor also supports the soloist’s interpretation and integration with the orchestra.

Challenges include maintaining the balance between sections, managing the dynamics and tempo across lengthy movements, and interpreting the conductor’s vision into a cohesive performance.

For symphonies, listen for thematic development across movements and the interplay of different orchestra sections. In concertos, focus on the interaction between the soloist and the orchestra and the technical prowess of the soloist.

Composers write concertos to showcase the virtuosity of a solo performer, often for specific musicians, and to explore the expressive capabilities of particular instruments.