The main difference between concerto and sonata is that concerto is a musical composition in three sections, while sonata is a musical composition for one or more solo instruments.
Concerto and sonata are two popular forms of musical compositions found in classical western music. The term sonata basically has two distinct meanings in music: a piece of music and a structure of an individual movement. Meanwhile, a concerto is a composition that involves one or more solo instruments and an orchestra.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Concerto
– Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Sonata
– Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Difference Between Concerto and Sonata
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Concerto, Sonata
What is Concerto?
Concerto is a classical musical composition that highlights a solo instrument like a piano or cello, or a group of solo instruments is blended and contrasted with a full orchestra. In other words, it is a composition for a solo instrument or instruments, accompanied by an orchestra. Furthermore, most concertos have three movements or sections.
The concept of modern concerto actually originated in the Baroque period. There were two main types of concertos during this period:
Concerto grosso – this is an early form of the concerto, having several movements. Handel and Corelli were famous for composing concerto grosso.
Solo concerto – this is a concerto for individual player and orchestra. In fact, this is the type of concerto we are familiar with today. J.S Bach originally developed it in his harpsichord concertos.
Moreover, solo concerts have impressive but difficult musical passages for the soloist. Besides, various types of instruments can be used in concertos; for example, piano concertos, violin concertos, cello concertos, flute concertos, flute concertos, etc.
What is Sonata
The term sonata originates from the Italian verb sonare, “to sound.” Moreover, this term originally denoted a piece played on instruments, in contrast to cantata (vocal compositions).
The term sonata has two distinct meanings in western classical music: a piece of music and a structure of an individual movement. A sonata is a piece of classical music that is written for one or more solo instruments. More specifically, it sometimes refers to a piece of music for a solo instrument, often with piano accompaniment, and having several contrasting movements.
Development Haydn’s Sonata in G Major
A sonata form, on the other hand, refers to the structure of an individual movement. You can hear it in the first movement of a concerto, sonata, or a symphony. Moreover, the sonata form has three clearly recognizable sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation.
Difference Between Concerto and Sonata
Definition
A concerto is a piece of music that involves one or more solo instruments and an orchestra. But, the term sonata can either refer to a piece of music written for solo instrument(s) or a structure of an individual movement.
Movements
A concerto has three movements, whereas a sonata has usually more than three movements.
Orchestra
A concerto is a composition written for a solo instrument, accompanied by the orchestra, whereas a sonata is usually for solo instruments.
Conclusion
Concerto and sonata are two popular forms of musical compositions found in classical western music. The main difference between concerto and sonata is that concerto is a musical composition in three sections, while sonata is a musical composition for one or more solo instruments. Moreover, a concerto has three movements, whereas a sonata usually has more than three movements.
Reference:
1. “Concerto.” Music Theory Academy, 12 Mar. 2019, Available here.
2. “Sonata.” Music Theory Academy, 18 Mar. 2019, Available here.
3. Kuznetsova, Natalia. “Music Appreciation.” Lumen, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Development Haydn’s Sonata in G Major” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Back view photo of a man playing a black grand piano-2378209” By Ludwig Kwan (CC0) from Pexels
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