Mozart Symphony No, 40 in g minor:Allegro Molto (1st. mvt.)
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Like most classical symphonies, this one has four movements: We are studying the first: Molto Allegro (quite fast) There are 4 sections: Exposition, (played 2x),Development, Recapitulation (uses the same material as the Exposition)
1. The opening theme has a 3 note motive with a nervous, restless energy in g minor.
2. The 2nd theme contrasts with a lyrical style and the key of G Major.
3. In the Development section Mozart uses the opening theme, cuts it up, changes its key, shifts it from low and high strings, combines it with a furious
staccato (very short notes).
4. Dynamics (loudness) are shown with
p for soft and f for loud.
5.
Crescendo means playing gradually louder and louder.
EXPOSITION
First Theme.

0:00 (1) Main theme in violins,
p, pulsating accompaniment in violas. g minor key.
Bridge (to second theme)
0:24 (2) a. violins/main theme, p,  to
             b. Full orchstra,
f, G Major key, staccato motive/violins/upward scales.
     
P A U S E.
Second Theme
0:53 (3) a. Lyrical melody, p, G Major key in strings/woodwinds.
1:02      b. woodwinds/strings varied lyrical melody. Full orchestra
crescendo
             c. Staccato phrase,
f, downward scale, p, to
Closing Section
1:29  (4) a. String 'sighs', p,  3-note motive woodwinds/violins, f.
                 Both repeated with variations.
              b. Downward scales,
f, full orch., cadence in G Major key.

2:04-4:08
The Exposition is repeated (Da Capo).

DEVELOPMENT
4:09  (1) a. Woodwinds in high pitches, p, lead to
              b. Violins,
p, main theme phrase repeats on lower pitches.
4:24  (2) Sudden
f, full orchestra, main theme phrase + fast countermelody.
4:53  (3) a. Sudden
p, high violins/woodwinds with 3-note motive.
              b. Sudden
f, full orchestra with 3-note motive.
              c. Sudden
p, high flutes/clarinets with 3-note motive working down to

RECAPITULATION.
First Theme

5:26  (1) a. Main theme/violins, p, pulsating accompniment/violas, g minor.
              b. Full orchestra,
f.
Bridge
5:50  (2) a. Violins, p, main theme in a new direction to
              b. Full orchestra,
f, staccato motive violins/cellos.
                  Violins push with upward scales,
f.
     
P A U S E.
Second Theme
6:43  (3) a. Strings/woodwinds have lyrical melody, p, g minor.
6:52        b. Woodwinds/strings,
p, varied lyrical melody. Full orch. crescendo
           
c. Staccato phrase, f, downward scale, p, to
Closing Section
7:24  (4) a. String sighs, p, 3-note motive in woodwinds/violins, f.
                  Both repeated with variations.
              b. Downward scales, full orchestra,
f.
Coda
7:54    (1) a. Sudden p, main theme motive/strings.
                b. Full orchestra,
f, cadence in minor key.
Discussion topics:
How does Mozart compose using the Classical ideals of balance, harmony, simplicity in the structure of this movement?
This movement has two short themes: how does Mozart give the work contrast and variety of sound and texture?

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