A Poll Listing 150 Popular Symphonies
A symphony is a multi-movement orchestra work without a primary soloist like a concerto has.
Symphonies usually have four movements, but early symphonies from the 18th century sometimes
had three, and starting with Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in 1808, some symphonies had five
(or more) movements.
Movement 1: Quick-paced (usually allegro) in sonata-form (sometimes with a slow introduction)
Movement 2: Slow (often andante) in ternary form, rondo form, or variations.
Movement 3: Medium-paced minute and trio.
Movement 4: Fast (often allegro) rondo or set of variations.
It was not unusual to switch the order of the second and third movements.
During the early 1800's Beethoven used mostly scherzos instead of minuets because of their
had three, and starting with Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in 1808, some symphonies had five
(or more) movements.
Movement 1: Quick-paced (usually allegro) in sonata-form (sometimes with a slow introduction)
Movement 2: Slow (often andante) in ternary form, rondo form, or variations.
Movement 3: Medium-paced minute and trio.
Movement 4: Fast (often allegro) rondo or set of variations.
It was not unusual to switch the order of the second and third movements.
During the early 1800's Beethoven used mostly scherzos instead of minuets because of their
limited versatility and aristocratic association. He would also use sonata-form for movements
other than the first. Both of these practices continued after his death.
The first symphonies appeared in the 1740s. They were short (usually under 15 minutes)
and often only had strings (violins, violas, cellos, and basses). Over time, woodwinds, brass,
and percussion were added and symphonies became longer (Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
from 1824 is about 65 minutes). The most important contributors to the development of
The first symphonies appeared in the 1740s. They were short (usually under 15 minutes)
and often only had strings (violins, violas, cellos, and basses). Over time, woodwinds, brass,
and percussion were added and symphonies became longer (Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
from 1824 is about 65 minutes). The most important contributors to the development of
early symphonies (1740 - 1760) are the composers and orchestra of Mannheim, Germany,
the best orchestra in Europe.
Symphonies began getting more sophisticated when Joseph Haydn began writing his in the
1760s. He and then Mozart did the most to enhance symphonies until Beethoven came along.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 (1805) is considered a landmark work in the move from the 18th
century classical style to 19th century romanticism.
What is ternary form? A → B → A Chopin's Fantasy-Impromptu (play 4:30)
What are (theme and) variations?
What are minuets & scherzi (scherzos)
What is rondo form?
What is sonata-form? In the Classical era through Beethoven, the first movement of almost
all serious, multi-movement instrumental works is written in sonata-form. This format remains
important in the Romantic era and even in the 20th century, although it is used less widely from
1830 on.
These same formats were applied to string quartets and string quintets) in the Classical era and beyond.
The various movement formats were also used in three movement piano sonatas and other
chamber works with the minuet usually being omitted.
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