Symphony

The word symphony comes from the Greek words syn- and phone, which the Greeks used to define concepts related to 'harmony'. Since the 18th century, this term began to be used in relation to a musical form mainly derived from the sonata, but also from the prelude, suite, and overture. A symphony is a musical genre for orchestra, where all instruments have an equally important role.
In its classical form, a symphony, like a sonata, consists of four parts: a fast first part in sonata form, a slow second part, a variable third part, composed of a dance in 3/4 time (e.g. a minuet or scherzo), and a fast final fourth part in sonata form or rondo.
Nevertheless, there are also many symphonies that have been modified by their composers and differ from their classical version. The genius of this genre, Beethoven, began to experiment with the structure of the individual parts of his VI Symphony, and then added singers to his IX Symphony.
In the Romantic era, some composers also modified their symphonies. Symphonies with a greater number of parts appeared, as well as those whose parts had different stages ('Romeo and Juliet' by H. Berlioz, II and III Symphonies by G. Mahler), as well as symphonies with only one part or consecutive parts (VII Symphony by J. Sibelius, 'An Alpine Symphony' by R. Strauss, and IV Symphony by C. Nielsen). Symphonies were also composed for chamber orchestras (Berlioz, Mahler, Bruckner), for singers and choirs (II Symphony by Mendelssohn, XIV Symphony by Shostakovich), and for individual instruments such as organs or pianos (Charles-Marie Widor and Louis Vierne, and Charles-Valentin Alkan). However, contemporary symphonies often have only three parts, such as the symphonies of Arthur Honegger.

CLASSICISM

Joseph Haydn Symphony 'Farewell' - Capella Istropolitana

Ludwig van Beethoven Ode to Joy from the IX Symphony performed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFX8S9aAgvw

ROMANTICISM

Hector Berlioz Symphony 'Fantastic' performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMcAfQIZ0UE

POST-ROMANTICISM

Antonín Dvořák Symphony 'From the New World' - Dublin Philharmonic

20TH CENTURY

Arthur Honegger Symphony 'Liturgical'. Performed by Berliner Philharmoniker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK9mGN7KZg4

FOR ORGANS

Charles-Marie Widor Symphony for organs performed by Ignace Michiels