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Subject:
From:
Roger Hecht <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Moderated Classical Music List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 16 Mar 2006 22:00:06 -0500
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Ed,

Where have you been? Missed you.

>When one looks at the description on the back of a symphonic CD,
>one is likely to find each movement characterized by the tempos to
>be employed-allegro, moderato, presto, etc.  Yet in an opera, sections
>tend to be designated by their form-aria, cavatina, duetto, etc.  I've
>concluded that this is because most orchestral movements are composed
>of some version of sonata form.  I have noticed that sometimes other
>forms are identified (and, in these cases the tempo is omitted) as with
>menuetto and trio, rondo, theme and variations, etc.
>
>Am I on the right track?  Is this a convention with a rationale or is
>it simply tradition?

I haven't the slightest idea. I can speculate only.

I don't think most symphonic movements are necessarily variations of
sonata form.  The first movement usually is, and I think that's the one
that's most often named after a tempo. I wouldn't say that other movements
necessarily have much to do with sonata form.

I would guess that a composer names a movement in a way that best
describes its character or structure, the latter when it also describes
the character.

Beyond that, I know bupkus.

Roger Hecht

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