The most perfect single movement in music

[Wanderer]

I don't know about perfect but Medtner's 1st Piano Concerto is perhaps one of the most complete and inclusive movements, with the development providing both slow and scherzo-like sections, and the coda could almost be a movement in itself.

Indeed. A seemingly three-movement concerto designed as a unified sonata structure with a variation set thrown right in. Pretty close to perfect.

[Florestan]

Yes, I know that, Jo, but I did not feel up to summarizing Kerman's arguments in detail. As for Florestan's comment, surely Jo's second paragraph is of a piece with the point I made earlier. It is not a matter of "knowing better than Beethoven," but rather of saying that there are times in the scholar's opinion when even he may not have altogether succeeded in realizing his aims. Why should that be so objectionable?

You took much too seriously a passing remark which was ended by three emoticons that should have put you on guard about its true nature. 

And besides, Kerman is entitled to his opinion, I am entitled to mine. Why should that be so objectionable? 

Personally I do feel the rondo finale succeeds very well as an ending to 130

So do I and that settles the matter. 

[Ken B]

You took much too seriously a passing remark which was ended by three emoticons that should have put you on guard about its true nature. 

And besides, Kerman is entitled to his opinion, I am entitled to mine. Why should that be so objectionable? 

So do I and that settles the matter. 

You are entitled to your own opinion. But as usual you'd do better to adopt mine.

[Mirror Image]

The most perfect single movement in music? That's easy: Il tempo largo, the third movement from Sibelius' Symphony No. 4.

[Karl Henning]

You are entitled to your own opinion. But as usual you'd do better to adopt mine.

We cannot all adopt your opinion.  But your mission there is admirable.

[Cato]

A dark horse:

The Rach's Third Symphony the Second Movement, which functions as a slow movement and Scherzo.

[(poco) Sforzando]

We cannot all adopt your opinion.  But your mission there is admirable.

Instead you can adopt mine, which is even more admirable.

[Karl Henning]

Admirable missions as far as the eye can see!

[Jaakko Keskinen]

The most perfect single movement in music? That's easy: Il tempo largo, the third movement from Sibelius' Symphony No. 4.

That is one of the most penetrating, psychologically awesome, mind-breaking movements ever in symphony repertoire.

[Mirror Image]

That is one of the most penetrating, psychologically awesome, mind-breaking movements ever in symphony repertoire.

It most certainly is, Alberich. Glad you agree.

[jochanaan]

The most perfect single movement in music? That's easy: Il tempo largo, the third movement from Sibelius' Symphony No. 4.

You'll get no argument from here! While I can't select one movement as "the most perfect," that one is in the top very few.