Need to know how a concerto differs from a symphony? What do they have in common, and what separates them? Michael Beek explains

By Michael Beek

Published: Sunday, 02 April 2023 at 12:00 am


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.

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.