1 | The Movements of the Symphony

As with Baroque genres, works in the Classical period consist of several movements, which contrast in tempo and are composed in different musical forms. Compare the following brief description of the four movements of a typical symphony with the description given on page 115 for the Baroque concerto:

If we compare the symphony table with a parallel table for the Baroque concerto, both below, we see many differences, but also certain similarities. The forms used for the movements are entirely different, and there is the extra minuet. However, in the broadest terms, the sequence from fast/complex to slow/quiet to fast/brilliant is the same.

MOVEMENTS OF THE SYMPHONY
OPENING MOVEMENT SLOW MOVEMENT MINUET (WITH TRIO) CLOSING MOVEMENT
Tempo Fast/Moderate Slow/very slow Moderate Fast/very fast
Form Sonata form (sometimes preceded by a slow introduction) Sonata form, variations, rondo form, or other Minuet form Sonata form or rondo form
MOVEMENTS OF THE BAROQUE CONCERTO
OPENING MOVEMENT SLOW
MOVEMENT
CLOSING MOVEMENT
Tempo Fast/Moderate Slow/very slow Fast/very fast
Form Ritornello form No standard form Ritornello form

A word of caution: This symphony table represents the norm, but there are always exceptions. Some famous ones are Mozart’s Prague Symphony, lacking a minuet, and Haydn’s Farewell Symphony, with an extra slow movement — five movements in all. (There were exceptions also to the Baroque scheme: Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 has two dance movements added to the usual three for the concerto.)