The Four-Movement Symphony

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1. Fast: Sonata Form (Sometimes called Sonata-Allegro Form
2. Slow: Variable: Sonata form; OR Sonatina form; OR Rondo form; OR Theme and Variations.
3. Moderately, or fast: Minuet and Trio form; OR Scherzo and Trio.
4. Fast: Sonata form; OR Rondo; OR Sonata-rondo.

Forms of Single Movements:

Binary Form:

 

||: a : || : b a' :||

Underlying structure of a sonata form. In some simple symphonies this may be the form of an entire movement. Otherwise, it will appear as a smaller unit within the larger movement as a section in a Rondo, Theme and Variations. In Minuet/Trio and Scherzo/Trio movements, the smaller units are almost invariably binary forms.

 

 

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Sonata Form:

What is sonata form?

A framework for individual movements of symphonies, quartets, sonatas, and even vocal movements in opera. Most commonly used in mid-eighteenth through nineteenth centuries.

1. Usually used in first movements, though can be found in other movements.
2. An "expansion" of binary form ||: Exposition:||:Development and recapitulation:||
3. Sonata form is essentially a dramatic form based on the generation of conflict. tension and its resolution:
   • Exposition: [Exp]: material is introduced; presented in conventional order; modulation to new key (usually dominant or relative major)
   • Development: [Dev]: elaboration of material from exposition.
   • Recapitulation: [Recap]: Exp repeated with changes, usually resolving "conflicts" and returning to the home key (tonic)

"Sonatina" form

an "abridged sonata form" with little or no development.

Minuet and Trio/Scherzo and Trio

Minuet (or Scherzo):

||: a : || : b a' :||

Trio:

||: c : || : d c' :||

Repeat of Minuet (or Scherzo), usually without internal repeats:

||: a : || : b a' :|

1. The minuet is a "stylized version" of the dance "minuet," usually associated with the aristocracy. It is the only dance form that was to become typical in Classical instrumental works. Minuets are usually written in binary form.
2. The trio, also written in binary form, usually contrasts the Minuet, often using reduced instrumentation (hence the word "trio"). It is also most often in binary form.
3. After the trio, the Minuet is repeated, often without internal repeats.
4. The form for the entire movement is thus A (minuet with internal repeats) B (trio with repeats) A' (without internal repeats).
5. The scherzo (which "joke" in Italian) substitutes for the Minuet in some later eighteenth and nineteenth-century symphonies. It is usually faster, more playful, and may often involve rhythmic "jokes."

Rondo Form:

Several options are shown below:

A.........B.........A.........B.........A (optional coda)

A ........B.........A..........C.........A

A.........B.........A.........C..........A.........B.........A

1. The Rondo is a kind of "refrain" form in which an A section alternates either with one or more contrasting sections.
2. It is most typically used for last movements of symphonies.
3. It may also be arranged as Sonata-rondo (see models 2 and 3 above) whereby the the first sections serve as an Exposition, middle sections as development, and the repeats of the first sections are recapitulatory.

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