Final answer:
The genre of a piece of music can be determined by its structure, style, and content. Symphonies, sonatas, French overtures, and concertos each have distinct characteristics that define their forms and uses within various historical and stylistic contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the genre of a piece of music, one must analyze its structure, style, and content. Generally, a symphony is an extended musical composition for orchestra typically in four movements.
A sonata is a composition for an instrumental soloist, often with a piano accompaniment, typically in three or four movements with contrasting themes. A French overture is a musical form used in the Baroque era, characterized by a slow opening followed by a faster section.
Lastly, a concerto is a musical work composed for an instrumental soloist and orchestra, traditionally in three movements where the soloist plays a contrasting role against the orchestra.
As genres, these musical forms emerged during different historical periods and serve different purposes. Composers of the Romantic era, for instance, continued the tradition of these genres while adding their unique emotional and expressive qualities.
The Classical period laid the foundation for the structures used in the Romantic era, but Romantic composers, such as Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven in his later years, expanded these forms with richer harmonies and textures representative of their time.
Therefore, when identifying the genre of a given musical piece, it is critical to examine these various characteristics to make an accurate assessment. The decision requires a careful listening and understanding of the particular attributes that define each genre.