After a loud, decisive close similar to what you heard at the end of the exposition, the orchestra stops playing. After the silence, the soloist plays the cadenza, which features bits and pieces from themes blended into virtuosic passages. How is the cadenza different from the other sections of first-movement concerto form?

The soloist plays alone

Explanation:

Cadenza refers to a part of a concerto that the orchestra as to stop playing and the the soloist will be allowed to play alone in a free time, it is often improvised or written out, but that depends on the composer. Cadenza is often played by a soloist in a free rhythmic style and it allows virtuosic display.

Answer is the soloist plays alone.

Refer below.

Explanation:

After a loud, decisive close similar to what you heard at the end of the exposition, the orchestra stops playing. After the silence, the soloist plays the cadenza, which features bits and pieces from themes blended into virtuosic passages. The cadenza different from the other sections of first-movement concerto form:

Because the soloist plays alone.