Minuet and Trio Form

The minuet and trio is usually found as the third movement of a four movement Classical era sonata and is the only dance movement in a Classical era sonata. It is in triple meter, of moderate tempo and it’s use was borrowed by Classical era composers from Baroque period practice. The first minuet was paired with a second minuet called a trio. After the trio the first minuet returns. So in actuality the form should be called, Minuet Trio Minuet form. The second big section is called a Trio because in the Baroque era there were 3 instruments such as 2 oboes or violins, 1 bassoon or cello, plus continuo (harpsichord). During the Classical era the Trio section had just fewer instruments and if the Minuet was scored for a string orchestra the Trio would be for the woodwinds. After the Minuet and then the Trio section are each repeated, the first Minuet comes back without repeats. The internal structure is diagrammed as follows:

Minuet         Trio       Minuet

I:A:I:BA:I:C:I:DC:I:ABA:I

The Minuet was the most popular social dance in Europe during the 1680’s to 1690’s and remained popular after Louis the XIV’s death well into the Classical era.