What is a symphony?A symphony is a long orchestral composition typically consisting of 4 movements, played without pauses between them. It developed from the Italian symphonia, from the Latin symphonia meaning harmony or concord of sound.
The standard symphonic structure comprises: - An opening movement in **sonata form**. This movement typically establishes the mood or material for the work and is the longest of the movements.- A **slow movement** in triple meter, which provides contrast to the opening movement - A **scherzo** or minuet and trio. This is a brisk, lively dance-like movement in triple meter.- A **finale** which brings the work to a close in a spirited and dramatic fashion.
A symphony typically involves a large orchestra with variations of instruments playing together in harmony to create a rich, complex sound. The main instruments of the orchestra play important roles in symphonies, including the strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.
The German term for symphony.
Leave a Reply