Beethoven 9 Flashcards
Overview
Final symphony containing Ode to Joy melody, previous themes permeating the symphony and structurally complex.
Form
I: Allegro (d) II: Scherzo: molto vivace (d) III: Adagio molto e cantabile (Bb) IV: Allegro – Andante – Allegro (d/D)
Mvt 1: Overview
Tentative start, aggressive unison melody, melodic developments and dramatic and unexpected chord changes (B major appearance in Dm exposition). Huge scale.
Mvt 1: Expo
Shimmering strings start before aggressive unison D minor theme, transition; lyrical theme in Eb major feel, 2nd subject consists of multiple themes and complex dialogue
Mvt 1: Dev
Triple fugue and much thematic variation - including Cm, Gm, Dm and Am. Second subject appears but in minor key.
Mvt 1: Recap
D major (not minor) and second subject becomes minor. New theme appears in coda.
Mvt 2
Scherzo - Trio - Scherzo. Each scherzo is in sonata form and each theme is a 5 part fugue. Rhythmic figure dominates. Scalic trio theme before abrupt finish - Trio trails off, octave Scherzo theme finishes.
Mvt 3
Set of variations on two alternating themes - 6 sections plus coda.
Mvt 4
Previous movement themes re-appear but are rejected. Recitative use of double bass playing melody and ‘quasi operatic’ passages with Baritone voice. New musical theme introduced - the brotherhood of mankind. Fugues, obscure key changes and huge accelerando.
Orchestra
Huge orchestra (including contrabassoons), use of choir and also a double bass recitative feel in movement 4.
Harmony & Tonality
Minor to major, similar to Symphony no.5, unexpected shifts in movement 1, second subject returning in a minor key.
Humour, drama, narrative & programme
Aggressive theme of movement 1. Humourous end to movement 2. Drama of movement 4 - bass recitative idea followed by inclusion of choir.
Melody and theme
Previous movement themes re-introduced in movement 4 before rejection by the double basses.
Texture
Complex fugual writing in the Scherzos, aggressive unison writing and monophonic recitative near start of movement 4.
Rhythm/Tempo/Metre
Use of compound time in movement 3, free tempo in recitative feel of movement 4, very speedy movement 2 scherzo.
Dance, folk & national
Ode to Joy seen as anthem for humanity
Patronage
Subscription concert - more money available for writing for more instruments such as contrabassoon
Key info
Beethoven 9 1824 D minor
