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How does a concerto differ from a sonata?

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caricature of Antonio Vivaldi — concerto Caricature of Antonio Vivaldi, pen and ink on paper by Pier Leone Ghezzi, 1723; in the Codex Ottoboni, Vatican Library, Rome. The inscription below the drawing reads, “Il Prete rosso Compositore di Musica che fece L'opera a Capranica del 1723” (“The red priest, composer of music who made the opera at Capranica [College in Rome] of 1723”).

While both the concerto and the sonata are multimovement works that share structural foundations, they are distinguished primarily by the role of the soloist and specific formal conventions.123

Key Differences

Soloist and Dialogue: The defining characteristic of a concerto is the dialogue between a solo instrument and an orchestral ensemble. This relationship involves alternation, competition, and combination, often forcing the soloist into a virtuoso role to compete with the orchestra. In contrast, a sonata is typically written for a solo instrument or a small ensemble without this specific adversarial dynamic.21
Movement Structure: Concertos have followed a consistent three-movement plan (fast–slow–fast) much more strictly than sonatas.2
Exposition: In the first movement of a concerto, the exposition is often repeated: the first time it is played by the full orchestra in the tonic key, and the second time it introduces the soloist with a more elaborate treatment.23
Cadenza: Concertos frequently feature a cadenza—an extended, improvised flourish for the soloist near the end of a movement—which is not a standard feature of the sonata.24