Chapter 12:
The Symphony
Minuet Form

Minuet form
• Classical dance form
Minuet
Trio
Ternary Form
Stylization

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

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

Classical minuets use same overall ABA form, but each dance uses a form found in many
Classical tunes:
|: a :||: ba’ :| (rounded binary form)

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

Minuet
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

Minuet
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

Minuet Form
Sectional with clear cadences
Repetition and contrast define structural relationships
Aristocratic, stylized dance uses triple meter and moderate tempo
Typical form: