That is, a piece's structure can often be defined in terms of which parts of it are repeated (and when) versus when new, contrasting parts are introduced. Musical form is built around two contrasting techniques: Repetition and Contrast.
The important thing to realize is that each movement will have its own form or structure. For the instrumental works, the movements will often be labeled for the mood that they are convey, which may be a tempo indication (Allegro, Adagio, etc.), some type of desired emotional effect (Maestoso), or another type of music with a similar mood (Minuet, Alla marcia). For the vocal works listed above, the movements will commonly consist of Recitatives (short declarative, narrative-like sections of almost sung-speech), Arias (lyrical songs with instrumental accompaniment), and Choruses. A movement is a portion of a complete work which is able to stand on its own: it is (usually) separated from the other surrounding movements by a brief silence, (usually) ends with a satisfactory cadence, (usually) has its own distinct set of themes or motifs, has it's own tempo (or set of tempi), may possibly be in a different key from other movements, and, notably, has its own distinct structure. Structurally, the one thing that all of these types of classical music (generally) have in common is that they have multiple movements (but as with any "rule" there are always exceptions).
CLASSICAL COMPOSITIONS FULL
Symphony: A piece for the the full orchestral texture.Concerto: A piece that contrasts one (or more) soloists against an orchestra.Suite: A collection of shorter works, usually dances, or pieces with a dance-like quality.More instruments than a sonata, but not a full orchestra Sonata: A piece for a solo instrument (often with accompaniment).Suitable for inclusion in a church service. Cantata: Usually religious, similar to an oratorio, but much shorter.Oratorio: Similar to an opera, but unstaged and usually on a sacred theme.Opera: A long staged work of musical drama for choir & orchestra, usually of a secular theme.Some common types of classical compositions include (but this is not an exclusive list):
Often, one will imply something about the other, but this is not a necessary or fixed correlation. By form, I mean the structural layout of its various developmental elements.
By type of composition (there may be a better word for this) I mean what kind of music is it, and what its texture and purpose is. Note that while some of my answer will be from the perspective of Baroque music, much of it will still apply to some degree throughout the Classical and Romantic eras as well.įirst of all lets differentiate between the type of composition, and the form of that composition.