Donald Scarinci writes.

>The first movement in a classical era symphony (Mozart, for example) is
>usually sonata allegro form.  The third movement is usually Minuet and trio
>form.  What form is the second andante movement?

The dictionary definition of a symphony is quite loose.  It's something
like:  "a work of one or more movements where at least one movement is in
sonata form".

Usually it's the first movement as your correspondence course is pointing
out but it doesn't have to be.

Thinking up a few classical slow movements in my head at the moment reveals
that they are all in sonata form but as stated they don't have to be.

Also, although many classical symphonies have Andantes for the second
movement there are also a lot that have other markings as well eg adagio.

In several earlier symphonies by Haydn the minuet is the second movement.
I think there are a few by Mozart and Micheal Haydn as well.

Also, I think that I am correct in saying that not all minuets have a trio
either.

All rules of thumb are there to be broken.

Bob Draper
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