Perpetuum mobile (Latin), moto perpetuo (Italian), mouvement perpetuel (French), literally meaning "perpetual motion", means two distinct things:

1. Pieces of music, or parts of pieces, characterized by a continuous steady stream of notes, usually at a rapid tempo.

2. Whole pieces, or large parts of pieces, which are to be played repeatedly, often an indefinite number of times.

Even though everything is notated using musical notation, the music is one long loop. The ostinato repeats with developing material above.

Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, English Horn in F, E-Flat Clarinet, 2 Clarinets in B-Flat, B-Flat Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, Contrabassoon, 2 French Horns in F, 2 Trombones, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Timpani(4), Bongos, Roto Toms, Power Toms, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbals, Violin I, Violin II, Violas, Violoncelli, Double Basses