Information on the development of the symphony
(1750-1810)
When talking about the Classical era, we use the capital ‘C’. When we talk about the genre
of classical music, we use a lowercase ‘c’.
The three eras:
Baroque Era:
Classical Era: 1750-1820
Romantic Era: 1820 – 1900
What is a symphony?
A symphony is a large-scale work for orchestra, often in four sections called ‘movements’.
When composers first started writing symphonies, they began with a 3-movement
structure. But this quickly evolved to the following 4 movements:
I – Fast movement (usually in sonata form)
II – Slower movement, in a related key
III – Minuet and trio (Later became the scherzo and trio)
IV – Second fast movement (usually in rondo or sonata form)
What is sonata form?
Developed in the Classical period, sonata form is a more complex structure than most
other forms. It involved the following:
• An exposition of two main themes.
• A development of the material.
(1750-1810)
When talking about the Classical era, we use the capital ‘C’. When we talk about the genre
of classical music, we use a lowercase ‘c’.
The three eras:
Baroque Era:
Classical Era: 1750-1820
Romantic Era: 1820 – 1900
What is a symphony?
A symphony is a large-scale work for orchestra, often in four sections called ‘movements’.
When composers first started writing symphonies, they began with a 3-movement
structure. But this quickly evolved to the following 4 movements:
I – Fast movement (usually in sonata form)
II – Slower movement, in a related key
III – Minuet and trio (Later became the scherzo and trio)
IV – Second fast movement (usually in rondo or sonata form)
What is sonata form?
Developed in the Classical period, sonata form is a more complex structure than most
other forms. It involved the following:
• An exposition of two main themes.
• A development of the material.
