The second movement of a classical symphony is typically a minuet and trio or scherzo.

• A. Second movement
• B. First movement
• C. Third movement
• D. Fourth movement

Answer: (A)

In a standard four-movement Classical symphony, the middle sections are designed for contrast: the second movement is typically slow and expressive, providing a lyrical relief after the opening fast movement. The dance-like minuet (with its contrasting trio) or the more vigorous scherzo most often appears in the third movement. The minuet is written in a graceful triple meter and follows a ternary form (minuet–trio–minuet), while the scherzo is a faster, more playful or dramatic take on that idea, often replacing the traditional minuet in later Classical and early Romantic works. Because of this, the statement about the second movement being typically a minuet or scherzo isn’t aligned with the standard pattern; the third movement is where you usually find the minuet and trio or scherzo.