 The symphony is composed for an orchestra containing 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, 2 harps, celesta, pianino (upright piano), strings, and solo piano.Structurally, there are two parts, each comprising three sections.Each movement is named after the six sections of Auden's poem, trying to mirror the moods and events in the poem.