Repetition Of The Parts

The enlargement of the Three-Part Song-form

is effected, in the majority of cases, by simply repeating the Parts.

The composer, in extending the dimensions of his original design,

resorts as usual to the most legitimate and natural means at his

disposal--that of repetition. By so doing, he reinforces the

principle of Unity, and, instead of obscuring, places the contents of

his design in a stronger and more convincing ight. It is true that

the act of mere repetition involves the risk of monotony; but against

this the composer has an efficient safeguard,--that of variation. He

may modify and elaborate the repetition in any manner and to any extent

that seems desirable or necessary, the only limitations being that the

identity of the original Part must be preserved beyond all danger of

misapprehension, and (as a rule) that the cadences shall not be altered.



The act of repetition is applied to the First Part alone, and to the

Second and Third Parts together; very rarely to the Second Part

alone, or to the Third Part alone.