The Meaning of Symphony in Music
A symphony is a **long** and **complex musical composition** written for **an orchestra**. A symphony typically consists of **four movements**, each with a different tempo and tone. The first movement is usually in sonata form and often the most substantial part.
The symphony as a musical form developed in the **18th century** and reached its peak during the **Classical and Romantic periods**. The work of **Haydn**, **Mozart**, and **Beethoven** transformed the symphony into the form we know today.
Symphonies usually feature several musical **themes** that are developed and **interwoven** throughout the different movements. Composers aim to express different **emotions** and **moods** using the symphonic form.
In summary, a symphony is an **extended orchestral composition** that typically uses **sonata form** and has multiple contrasting movements to explore various emotions and ideas.
In the early 18th century, the term "symphony" was applied to any instrumental prelude, interlude, or postlude. In modern usage, the term is applied to a large composition for orchestra, generally in three or four movements. The symphony may also be defined as a sonata for orchestra. The earlier symphonies, those of the Classical era, were generally simpler, and of a smaller scale. By the late Romantic era, the symphony had grown in number of movements, length of movements, number of instruments, variety of instruments, and dynamic range.
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