What is the musical term for a composition that features a high degree of technical skill?

The term "virtuoso" refers to a performer or a composition characterized by a high level of technical skill and artistry. In music, a virtuoso piece is often designed to showcase the performer’s abilities, featuring complex passages, rapid notes, and intricate musical ideas that require extensive practice and expertise to execute properly.

While a sonata, etude, and concerto can certainly involve high levels of technical skill, they do not exclusively denote that quality. A sonata is a specific form that typically consists of several movements and is a staple in classical piano repertoire. An etude, while often meant for technical practice, can vary in complexity and musicality; it primarily serves the function of honing specific techniques rather than being defined solely by the virtuosic quality of the music. A concerto usually involves a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra and may feature virtuosic passages, but the term does not inherently describe a composition focused primarily on technical skill alone.

Thus, "virtuoso" is the most appropriate term when referring specifically to a composition that is defined by its high degree of technical challenge and skill required for performance.