music styles

Symphony – a large scale work for a full orchestra, usually consisting of 4 movements or sections

Concerto – a large scale work for a full orchestra along with an instrumental soloist Suite – A collection of short musical pieces to form a larger work, usually dances e.g. Tchaikovsky Nutcracker

Opera – A large scale work for orchestra, choir and singers which is both theatre and music e.g. Mozart Magic Flute

Chamber Music – A small group of performers playing with a focus on the interplay between them

Sonata – A composition for an instrumental soloist, often with a piano accompaniment, typically in several movements

Cantatas – A medium length narrative piece which is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment

Oratorios – Large scale sacred musical composition for solo voice, chorus and an orchestra without costumes, action or scenery to get around strict Protestant rules.