A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Construction

by Hubert Parry

CONSTRUCTION is the writing of a piece of music according to an appreciable plan.

The element of construction is most important in instrumental music, where there is no accessory interest to keep the mind engaged. In all music connected with words the definiteness of construction must yield to the order of the language, and be dependent on what it expresses for the chief part of its effect; but in instrumental music it would be impossible for the mind to receive a satisfactory impression from a work which was purely continuous, and had no such connection between its parts as should enable the hearer to refer from one part to another, and thereby assist his attention. The only manner in which the sense of proportion and plan, which is so important in works of art, can be introduced into music is by repetition of parts which shall be distinctly recognised by the rhythm and order of succession of their notes, and are called the subjects. And the construction of a fine movement is like that of a grand building, in which the main subjects are the great pillars upon which the whole edifice rests, and all the smaller details of ornamentation are not just an irregular medley of ill-assorted beauties, but being reintroduced here and there, either simply or disguised with graceful devices, give that unity and completeness to the general effect which the absence of plan can never produce. As instrumental music grows older new plans of construction are frequently invented, especially in small lyrical pieces, which imitate more or less the character of songs, or represent some fixed and definite idea or emotion, according to the supposed order or progress of which the piece is constructed. In small pieces for single instruments originality of plan is generally an advantage; but in large forms of instrumental composition it is most desirable for the general plan to be to a certain extent familiar, though it is on the other hand undesirable that it should be very obvious. The former strains the attention too heavily, the latter engages it too slightly. An account of the plans most generally used for such large instrumental works as symphonies, concertos, overtures, sonatas, etc., will be found under the article Form.

[ C. H. H. P. ]