A concerto is a musical composition written for one or more solo instruments playing alongside a full orchestra. Picture a single pianist sitting at a grand piano on stage, with dozens of orchestra musicians arranged behind them. The pianist and orchestra work together, sometimes trading melodies back and forth, sometimes with the piano soaring above the orchestra's accompaniment, and sometimes blending into a unified sound.

Most concertos feature three movements, or distinct sections, usually arranged fast-slow-fast. The first movement often includes a cadenza, an impressive solo passage where the orchestra falls silent and the featured musician plays alone, showing off their skill and artistry.

Concertos exist for many instruments. Mozart wrote beautiful piano concertos. Tchaikovsky composed a famous violin concerto that remains popular today. There are even concertos for trumpet, cello, flute, and other instruments.

The soloist gets moments of glory, but the orchestra is never just background music. Together they create something neither could achieve alone, like a conversation between one remarkable voice and a chorus of many.