Final answer:
The scherzo movement in a symphony is characterized by being a fast, light, and often humorous movement featuring trio sections in the style of the Ländler. It is not typically slow and melancholic but instead offers lively rhythms and playful themes contrasted with forceful passages. This movement is part of the evolution from modal to tonal music with some complexity in harmony.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of symphonic scherzo movements most accurately described by the options provided is that they feature trio sections cast in the style of Ländler. The scherzo, which replaced the minuet in the 19th century in symphonies, quartets, and other works, is generally fast-moving, light, and often humorous in nature. It usually consists of a trio section, which is a contrasting section both thematically and often in terms of tempo and key. The Ländler itself is an Austrian folk dance in ⅔ time, which is reflected in the style of the trio sections of scherzos, giving them a rustic or pastoral character.
Rejecting the characteristics of slow and melancholic movement, the scherzo's strength lies in its rapid tempo and lively rhythm. Composers like Beethoven revolutionized the use of the scherzo in his symphonies, infusing them with dynamic contrasts and structural innovations. The term 'scherzo' means 'joke' in Italian, which is fitting, as these movements often display playful and teasing moods juxtaposed with forceful passages.
It is incorrect to state that symphonic scherzo movements are typically slow and melancholic; that description better fits the adagio or other slow movements within a symphony. The option mentioning that they juxtapose extremes of soft and loud dynamics is a trait of Romantic-era music in general, which includes but is not exclusive to scherzo movements. In terms of harmony, scherzos were part of the development from modal to tonal music, and while they can have complex harmonies, this is not their defining characteristic.