Skip to main content

Section 25.5 Standard Forms in a Multimovement Classical Piece

Below are the forms commonly encountered in the various movements of Classical symphonies, string quartets, and sonatas.

  1. First movement: Sonata form

  2. Second movement: Ternary form (ABA), sonatina form, or five-part rondo

  3. Third movement: Minuet and Trio (Compound Ternary)

  4. Fourth movement: Rondo form, sonata form, or sonata rondo form