I am a classical music fan as well as a 'funtime' composer of classical music (http://members.spree.com/afro18/index.htm). Although, I haven't yet composed a symphony (due to my intense interest in classical piano/12-tone structures), I would like to offer some advice. I had a class in Music Theory at my local university, where I study Comp Sci/Math...here's some ideas: 1. ABA structure.....many pieces have a part, modulate (move) to another part, and go back to the first part. 2. Fast-slow-fast....many orchestra workshops have a fast, then slow, then fast again structure, each part taking 1 movement. Also, can be FAST-SLOW-SCHERZO-FAST. For my first symphony, I might do this: Movement 1-Allegro ma troppo-Andante simplice (A fast starting structure, and repeating it in a slower tempo later) Movement 2-Intermezzo (A break from the first part, a etude or variation 'from another world') Movement 3-Moderato-Dies Irae (Call it Mahlerian, but I would like to first write about the world, as I see it's suicide.......) Movement 4-Finale-Dies Irae Theme Think hard about what you want, if I can help, I'm here... [log in to unmask]