Need to know how a concerto differs from a symphony? What do they have in common, and what separates them? Michael Beek explains
Symphonies and concertos share a number of characteristics. Both are large scale orchestral forms of music, and both were very popular from the Classical era (1750 onwards). Concertos did form part of earlier Baroque music, but they really came into their own – along with the symphony – a bit later.
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The main point of difference is that in a concerto there a featured soloist (or soloists) is given the chance to really stand out. In concert they will stand up front – so not within the instrumental section of the orchestra.
In many respects the solo instrument is in something of a battle with the orchestra, largely competing with the ensemble and showing off a bit. In a symphony, while there may be solo passages, the musicians are really all in it together.
Concertos traditionally have three movements, while symphonies have four – though there are plenty that have more, or less. That aside, both follow typical formal musical structures.
What are some of the most famous concertos?
Too many to mention, but let’s take three of the instruments for which concertos have most commonly been written: the piano, violin and cello. Famous piano concertos include Beethoven’s Piano Concertos No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 (the ‘Emperor’), and Mozart‘s Piano Concertos No. 20, No. 21 (sometimes known as the ‘Elvira Madigan’ because of the slow movement’s use in that film), No. 23 and No. 24.
Elsewhere, the two Brahms Piano Concertos are both staples of the concert hall, as is Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (of five). The French composer Camille Saint-Saëns also wrote five Piano Concertos: only the Second is a real repertoire mainstay (numbers four and five get some attention too), but all five are absolute dazzlers.
And if you want something light and bracing, both of the Shostakovich Piano Concertos are short, fun pieces, fizzing with ideas and energy – although both blessed with exquisite slow movements.
The greatest violin concertos include the Sibelius Violin Concerto, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, and Beethoven Violin Concerto. Brahms, once again, wrote a fabulous concerto for the instrument. Mozart wrote five, of which No. 3 and No. 5 (the ‘Turkish’) are probably best known. Bach wrote two very beautiful Violin Concertos, while the Bach Double Concerto is elegantly composed for two violins.
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is very famous, with a songlike melody that you may know without knowing it! Finally, from opposite ends of the classical timeline, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is in effect a set of four very beautiful Baroque violin concertos, while in the 20th century Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto is one of the most expressive ever written for the instrument.
Famous cello concertos include those by Elgar, Dvořák, Shostakovich (Cello Concertos Nos. 1 and 2), Haydn (Cello Concertos Nos. 1 and 2) and, again, Saint-Saëns. Tchaikovsky wrote a beautiful set of theme and variations for cello and orchestra, the ‘Rococo’ Variations.
What is a cadenza?
The Classical era concerto introduced the ‘cadenza’, which is sort of an improvised ending to the first movement. The soloist is given free rein to really show what they can do – some were composed, but others are left to the performer to realise.
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About Michael Beek
Michael is the Reviews Editor of BBC Music Magazine. He joined the team in May 2018, following ten years as a freelance film music journalist and fifteen years at St George’s Bristol – where he was everything from Box Office Supervisor to the venue’s Content & Engagement Manager.
Michael specialises in film and television music and was the Editor of Music from the Movies.com. He has written for the BBC Proms, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Albert Hall, Hollywood in Vienna and Silva Screen Records. Also a presenter, Michael has hosted concerts and live events for Bristol Film Festival and St George’s Bristol, plus Debbie Wiseman’s ‘Music and Words from Wolf Hall’ at venues across the UK.