Mass
A religious piece for a choir

Concerto Grosso
Music from the Baroque period, played by an orchestra and a group of soloists. Often includes a harpsichord. NOT the same as a concerto
Trio Sonata
Music written for, and played by, four instruments: 1 harpsichord, 2 violins, 1 cello.

Oratorio
Similar to an opera but with a sacred text, so tells a religious story
Opera
A musical drama, completely sung throughout, to tell a story. Including:
Aria
A piece for a solo voice and an orchestra
Chorus
A piece for the main chorus, or choir, with an orchestral accompaniment
Ensemble
A piece for a group of soloists and the orchestra
Recitative
A sung solo punctuated by chords

Concerto
Concertos are composed for an orchestra with one solo instrument. They usually have 3 movements, arranged fast-slow-fast. Developed from the concerto grosso, concertos were first used in the classical period. Famous composers of concertos include:

Classical

• Mozart
• Beethoven
• Wolfgang
• Haydn

Romantic

• Weber
• Chopin
• Brahms
• Elgar

Piano Trio
A group made up of a piano, a violin and a cello
Sonata
A piece written for a solo instrument with a piano accompaniment eg. A violin sonata is played by a violin and a piano
String Quartet
A group of 2 violins, 1 viola and 1 cello. Also a piece of music written for that group
Symphony
Symphonies are usually formed using three movements, whilst in the 1940s, a fourth movement was added. The movements are usually ordered slow-fast-slow with the last movement often taking the form of a minuet It usually encompasses the whole orchestra, without solo instruments. Famous composers of symphonies include:

• Johann Stamitz
• J.S.Bach's two sons
• Schubert
• Dvorak
• Bruvkner

• Mahler
• Mendelssohn
• Brahms
• Shostakovich
• Berlioz

Madrigal
A secular piece (not sacred or religious) for a choir. Usually has "fa la la"s in it