Beethoven Center

Beethoven Thesaurus

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Music in which a later movement reintroduces thematic material of an earlier movement is said to be in 'cyclic form'. Generally, the term 'cyclic' describes those works where thematic links bind more than one movement; it is not properly applied to mere thematic resemblances. Beethoven, Schubert, and Berlioz laid the foundation on which Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt and Franck elevated cyclic principles to great importance, associated with the widespread application of thematic transformation and the desire for greater continuity between separate movements, all methods of establishing a tighter cohesion in multi-movement forms (New Grove 2nd ed.)