Chapter 12: The Symphony Minuet Form
Key Terms Minuet form Minuet Trio Ternary Form Stylization Classical dance form Minuet Trio Ternary Form Stylization
Minuet and Trio Typical symphony 3rd movement Moderate tempo, triple meter Minuet form (ternary) Stylized dance Written in the style or form of a dance, but intended for listening, not dancing Usually aristocratic in mood
History Derived from Baroque practice of pairing two like dances to make larger work (two minuets, two gavottes, etc.) Typical Baroque dance pair Minuet Trio Minuet (ABA) Trio is a contrasting minuet, often for smaller ensemble 1st minuet returns at the end = ternary form |: a :||: b :| form (binary) used for each dance
Baroque vs. Classical Classical minuets use same overall ABA form, but each dance uses a form found in many Classical tunes: |: a :||: ba’ :| (rounded binary form)
Haydn Symphony No. 95, III Compare Haydn’s Minuet and Trio Consider these elements: Melody - Articulation - Form Mode - Harmony Rhythm - Meter - Tempo Tone color - Register - Dynamics Texture - Accompaniment Minuet Trio
Haydn Symphony No. 95, III Minuet Trio Somber, dramatic Melody staccato Grace note figures Triple meter Moderate tempo Durations emphasize beat Loud vs. soft Trio Light, galant Melody legato Arpeggios Triple meter Moderate tempo Shorter, quicker note values Mostly soft
Haydn Symphony No. 95, III Minuet Trio Strings vs. full orchestra Minor mode b develops grace note figures Homophonic texture b shorter than a Trio Solo cello with pizzicato strings Major mode d develops c materials Homophonic texture d same length as c
Review Minuet Form Sectional with clear cadences Repetition and contrast define structural relationships Aristocratic, stylized dance uses triple meter and moderate tempo Typical form: