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In music, a movement is a division of a larger composition or musical form intended to be performed in succession, though complete in and of itself. Different forms of music have separate regulations in regard to the number of movements required. However, it is important to note that the number of movements in a piece has very little to do with the form. For example, Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F Major and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique both have 5 movements, while it is customary for a symphony to have only 4 movements.
Each movement has a distinct tempo and structure in regard to its intended position within the complete piece. For example, it is customary for the 1st movement in a symphony to be allegro or allegretto, the 2nd andante or adagio, the 3rd a scherzo or menuet in allegro or allegretto, and the 4th allegro, vivace, presto, etc.
In concerts it is customary to applaud when the entire work is completed, not between movements. However, it must be noted that during the classical era it was commonplace to applaud subsequent to the completion of each respective movement. In fact, applause was sometimes so loud and unyielding that conductors would simply play movements again.
Multi-movement forms
The three movement or concerto form has a sonata-allegro first movement, a slow movement as the second movement, and a fast movement, though not necessarily an allegro, as the final movement. The four movement or symphony form adds a dance movement either before or after the slow movement. Pieces for orchestra that follow the standard multi-movement schema are referred to as concertos or symphonies, with or without soloists, respectively. Chamber works in this form are typically named after the ensemble: for example, string quartet, piano trio, wind quintet, or for the instrument playing with piano accompaniment. For example, a "cello sonata" generally refers to a sonata for cello and piano, whereas a "sonata for cello solo" would be for the cello alone.
"Movement (music)"