human
What are the differences between a symphony and an oratorio?
assistant
A symphony is typically longer than an oratorio, with three movements. The first movement usually contains a slow introduction followed by a fast-paced second movement, while the third movement is generally slower in tempo and mood than the first two. An oratorio is typically shorter than a symphony, with two movements. The first movement is often a recitative, followed by a chorus that sings a set of verses, then a second movement which is usually arias sung by the soloists.