symphony
Multi-movement orchestral piece
A symphony is a large-scale orchestral composition, typically in four movements, representing one of classical music's most ambitious forms.
The word extends to symphony orchestras—the ensembles that perform such works—and to harmonious combinations generally: a symphony of colors, a symphony of flavors.
Beethoven's symphonies remain touchstones of the form.
Numbered artistic creation
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
instrumentation · manuscript · premiere · commission · motif · leitmotif · dynamics · crescendo
One who directs musicians
- violinsBowed stringed instruments
- cellosLarge bowed strings
- violasAlto-range bowed strings
- bassesLow-pitched voices or fish
flutes · oboes · clarinets · bassoons · trumpets · trombones · tubas · timpani
Brisk tempo marking
- adagioSlow musical tempo
- andanteWalking-pace tempo marking
- scherzoSpirited orchestral movement
- finaleConcluding part of performance
presto · largo · vivace · minuet · rondo · first movement · slow movement · coda
German classical music giant
- MozartEighteenth-century Austrian composer
- BrahmsRomantic German composer
- MahlerAustrian composer-conductor
- DvořákCzech Romantic composer
Haydn · Tchaikovsky · Bruckner · Sibelius · Shostakovich · Mendelssohn · Schumann · Schubert
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- textureSurface tactile quality
- tonalityMusic organized around tonic
- consonanceHarmonious sound combination
dissonance · modulation · chord progression · voicing · timbre · blend · balance · unison
opus
Numbered artistic creation
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
overture · instrumentation · manuscript · premiere · commission · motif · leitmotif · dynamics · crescendo · diminuendo
conductor
One who directs musicians
basses · flutes · oboes · clarinets · bassoons · trumpets · trombones · tubas · timpani · percussion
allegro
Brisk tempo marking
finale · presto · largo · vivace · minuet · rondo · first movement · slow movement · coda · development
Beethoven
German classical music giant
- MozartEighteenth-century Austrian composer
- BrahmsRomantic German composer
- MahlerAustrian composer-conductor
Haydn · Tchaikovsky · Dvořák · Bruckner · Sibelius · Shostakovich · Mendelssohn · Schumann · Schubert · Berlioz
polyphony
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- textureSurface tactile quality
- tonalityMusic organized around tonic
consonance · dissonance · modulation · chord progression · voicing · timbre · blend · balance · unison · tutti
concert hall
Venue for orchestral performances
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
- programPlanned sequence of actions
intermission · acoustics · venue · encore · ovation · season · subscription · premiere · rehearsal · dress rehearsal
- creative worksbooks, autobiography, memoir, novels, diary
- soundssound, beeps, listen, sounds, hear
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- orchestraorchestra, philharmonic, strings, string orchestra, woodwinds
- collaborationscollaborators, joint task force, joint project, duo, coalition forces
- compositionsconcerto, sonata, suite, overture, prelude
symphonysolo
Performance by one
concerto · étude · chamber music · miniature · bagatelle
symphonycacophony
Harsh, clashing sounds
dissonance · discord · noise · disharmony · din
symphonychaos
Complete disorder and confusion
disorganization · disorder · incoherence · disunity · confusion
- symphony orchestraLarge ensemble for classical music
- Symphony No. 5Iconic orchestral work
- Ninth SymphonyBeethoven's last completed symphony
- Symphony No. 9Large-scale orchestral composition
- symphonic musicLarge-scale orchestral compositions
- Fifth SymphonyNumbered orchestral work