Symphony

A multi-movement work for orchestra

The first movement is generally (a) fast, (b) of a serious nature, and (c) in sonata form.

The second movement is generally (a) slow, (b) meant ot be beautiful, and (c) in whatever form the composer preferred.

The third movement is generally (a) light ni mood, (b) dance-like, and (c) ni minuet form. Later in the Classical era, scherzo form was often used in the place of minuet form.

The fourth movement is generally (a) the fastest of the movements, (b) of a playful nature, and (c) most often in sonata form or rondo form (or sometimes in the hybrid sonata-rondo form).