KS3 the concerto - 3-movement piece of music

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Music Quiz - The Concerto 01 (Questions)

Concertos spotlight a soloist against an orchestra. In this KS3 Music quiz, explore how movements, themes, and contrast help the solo part stand out in style and structure.

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Fascinating Fact:

In many Classical concertos, the first movement uses a form linked to sonata form, with a clear opening by the orchestra.

In KS3 Music, the concerto is a key example of contrast in texture and dynamics. You listen for the relationship between soloist and ensemble, how ideas return, and how composers create a musical “conversation”.

Key Terms

Soloist: The main featured performer, usually playing or singing the leading part.
Orchestra: A large group of instruments playing together, often supporting and responding to the soloist.
Cadenza: A solo passage, often near the end of a movement, where the soloist shows skill and musical ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a concerto in music?

A concerto is a piece of music written for a soloist and an orchestra or ensemble. The solo part is designed to stand out, with the group providing support, contrast, and shared themes.

What is the difference between a concerto and a symphony?

A concerto features a soloist with an accompanying orchestra, while a symphony is written for the full orchestra without a single featured solo performer. Both are often in several movements.

How can you recognise a concerto when listening?

You can recognise a concerto by listening for a clear solo part that takes the lead, with the orchestra responding or accompanying. The music often alternates between full ensemble sections and solo passages.

Try These Related Quizzes

What best describes a concerto?

[ ]	A 3-movement work with accompanied solo instrument
[ ]	A special type of concert with light effects
[ ]	An Italian opera
[ ]	All of the above

What accompanies the solo instrument in concertos?

[ ]	A 4-part SATB ensemble
[ ]	A backing rock group
[ ]	An orchestra
[ ]	None of the above

What is a concerto grosso?

[ ]	A large scale concerto with a small group of soloists
[ ]	A modern rock ballad
[ ]	A type of polyphonic music
[ ]	A type of slow movement

When was the 'baroque' era?

[ ]	1600 - 1750 AD
[ ]	1800 - 1918 AD
[ ]	2000+ AD
[ ]	None of the above

What does 'tutti' mean?

[ ]	Loud
[ ]	Play/sing together
[ ]	Fast
[ ]	All of the above

A soloist with outstanding ability is called a .......

[ ]	complete show off!
[ ]	conductor
[ ]	virtuoso
[ ]	None of the above

What is a cadenza?

[ ]	A slow movement in a concerto
[ ]	A slow movement in a symphony
[ ]	A type of 8-bar guitar solo in a song
[ ]	Generally a technical passage played by soloists

What does sinfonia concertante mean?

[ ]	A concert with a concerto in the programme
[ ]	A concert with a symphony in the programme
[ ]	Essentially a mixture of symphony and concerto genres
[ ]	None of the above

A concerto is often made up of how many movements?

[ ]	1
[ ]	2
[ ]	3
[ ]	None of the above

10.

Can a concerto have more than one solo instrument?

[ ]	No
[ ]	Yes
[ ]	Yes - but only if the other instruments are percussive
[ ]	Yes - but only if the other soloist is a pianist

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Music

Music Quiz - The Concerto 01 (Answers)

What best describes a concerto?

[x]	A 3-movement work with accompanied solo instrument
[ ]	A special type of concert with light effects
[ ]	An Italian opera
[ ]	All of the above

The solo instrument is usually a violin, a piano or a cello

What accompanies the solo instrument in concertos?

[ ]	A 4-part SATB ensemble
[ ]	A backing rock group
[x]	An orchestra
[ ]	None of the above

A concerto is written for the whole orchestra

What is a concerto grosso?

[x]	A large scale concerto with a small group of soloists
[ ]	A modern rock ballad
[ ]	A type of polyphonic music
[ ]	A type of slow movement

Strictly speaking, a form of baroque music in which the musical line is passed between a small group of soloists and the full orchestra

When was the 'baroque' era?

[x]	1600 - 1750 AD
[ ]	1800 - 1918 AD
[ ]	2000+ AD
[ ]	None of the above

The baroque era followed the renaissance and was in turn followed by the romantic era

What does 'tutti' mean?

[ ]	Loud
[x]	Play/sing together
[ ]	Fast
[ ]	All of the above

Think of the ice-cream flavour, tutti frutti - it means 'all (together) fruits' in Italian

A soloist with outstanding ability is called a .......

[ ]	complete show off!
[ ]	conductor
[x]	virtuoso
[ ]	None of the above

Virtuoso has its origin in the Latin word 'virtus', which means 'virtue', 'excellence' or 'skill'

What is a cadenza?

[ ]	A slow movement in a concerto
[ ]	A slow movement in a symphony
[ ]	A type of 8-bar guitar solo in a song
[x]	Generally a technical passage played by soloists

It's usually played in a 'free' rhythmic style and normally requires great technical ability to play correctly

What does sinfonia concertante mean?

[ ]	A concert with a concerto in the programme
[ ]	A concert with a symphony in the programme
[x]	Essentially a mixture of symphony and concerto genres
[ ]	None of the above

You can see both words in sinfonia concertante - sinfonia (symphony) concertante (concerto)