Classical Concerto
Structure
Unlike symphonies (and sonatas, quartets, etc.) the concerto retained the 3-movement "fast-slow-fast" structure from the Baroque concerto.
| Movement | Tempo | Form |
|---|---|---|
| First | Fast | Usually a modified sonata form |
| Second | Slow | Often a simpler form (e.g. ternary) |
| Third | Fast | Usually sonata-rondo form |
Sonata Form in Concertos
In a classical concerto, the first movement frequently features a double exposition - an orchestral exposition and a solo exposition.
Orchestral Exposition
The orchestral exposition does not feature the soloist.
It normally features a full standard sonata exposition of two subjects with a transition and a codetta. Crucially, it remains in the tonic key throughout - like the recapitulation of a standard sonata form, this means that the transition does not modulate.
Solo Exposition
The solo exposition features the soloist interacting with the orchestra.
It normally includes all the parts of a full standard sonata exposition, like the orchestral exposition. There is normally an additional orchestral ritornello. Crucially, it uses the normal contrasts in key seen in sonata form.
| Section | Performed By | Key |
|---|---|---|
| First solo subject | Soloist and orchestra | Tonic |
| Transition | Soloist and orchestra | Modulation to dominant or relative minor |
| Second subject | Soloist and orchestra | Dominant or relative minor |
| Middle ritornello | Orchestra only | Dominant |
| Codetta | Soloist and orchestra | Dominant or relative minor |