A concerto is:

• A. A piece for a solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment
• B. A piece for two symphonic choirs
• C. A percussion ensemble piece
• D. A choral hymn

Answer: (A)

A concerto centers on a solo instrument set against an orchestra, creating a dialogue between the soloist and the ensemble. It’s designed to highlight the soloist’s technical skill and expressive range, usually across several movements with clear contrasts in tempo and mood. The form has roots in the Baroque era and continued through the Classical and Romantic periods, with famous examples like Mozart’s piano concertos or Vivaldi’s violin concertos. This description matches a piece for a solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment. The other options describe different kinds of music: two choirs points to a large-scale choral work; a percussion ensemble piece focuses on percussion without the traditional solo-orchestra interaction; a choral hymn is a vocal piece for choir or congregation, not a solo instrument with orchestra.