What term describes the recurrence of material from one movement in later movements to create structural unity?

The term that describes the recurrence of material from one movement in later movements to create structural unity is cyclical structure. This concept is particularly important in music composition, where themes or motifs introduced in an earlier movement are revisited and transformed in subsequent movements, contributing to an overarching coherence in the work.

Cyclical structure can enhance the sense of unity in large-scale works, such as symphonies or sonatas, as it ties various sections together through familiar material. This technique allows composers to develop ideas and maintain thematic continuity throughout their compositions, helping listeners to recognize connections and appreciate the overall design of the piece.

The other options touch on different concepts in music but do not specifically address the recurrence of material across multiple movements. Motivic development refers to the expansion and variation of musical ideas within a single movement rather than across movements. Melodic contour deals with the shape or direction of a melody itself, while harmonic progression pertains to the sequence of chords used in a piece, which does not inherently relate to structural unity across multiple movements.