| 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. |
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| 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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