Fifth Music Reader (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...Third Movement. The third movement is called scherzo, which is Italian for "jest." This is the humorous recess of the sonata. The form is strictly a dance; indeed, in older works it is called a minuet. Last Movement. The last movement or finale, always in rapid tempo, is in most cases in a vein of triumphant joyousness. The favorite form is the rondo. 104 Symphony. A sonata set for an orchestra is a Symphony. The symphony is the highest form of pure music. In the close knit design, in the big contrast of the various movements, in depth of mood and breadth of scope, it has the greatest capacity for pure tonal utterance, and so it has proved the form for the highest classics. A great symphony may thus be conceived as a poetic utterance of a broad view of life. Orchestra. The full orchestra comprises in the main three groups of instruments; The Strings, The Woodwind, and the Brass, Roughly speaking each group consists, like a vocal choir, of four parts, corresponding to soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The Strings are divided into first violins, second violins, violas, violoncellos and double basses. The Woodwind is composed of flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. The Brass consists of trumpets, or cornets, French horns, trombones, and tubas. The French horns, however, are more generally classed in the Woodwind. Besides the three principal groups there are the harp and the Instruments of Percussion, such as the drums and cymbals. The following grouping is suggested for a school orchestra: three or four first violins; three second violins; two violas; one or two violoncellos; one double bass, one flute, one clarinet, one cornet, one trombone, piano, drums and cymbals. 105 Chamber Music. Music for two or more solo instruments, ...