Brahms' Ballade

Question 1

A Bars 1 - 10

Answer 1

It is made up of two rhythmically similar five bar phrases
Accompanied by weighty low bass notes and moving chords shared between the hands in the midsection of the piano
The first phrase (antecedent) ends with an imperfect cadence
Second phrase (consequent) ends with perfect cadence
Ten bar irregular length
Use of ascending and descending melodic minor in the opening notes
Harmony includes flattened 6th and 7th notes giving colour and interest

Question 2

A Bars 3 - 4

Answer 2

Secondary dominant progression
Bar 4.2 V of V
Bar 5 V

Question 3

A Bars 10 - 22

Answer 3

Key changes to Eb major (subdom)
Develops three note theme and the dotted figure from bar 3
Syncopation leading to climax in b21-22, where opening material returns

Question 4

A Bars 27 - 32

Answer 4

More intense with new notes and harmonies added

Instead of the cadence in G minor, the second phrase ends on a G major chord (b32)

Question 5

A Bars 32 - 40

Answer 5

Next few bars, form a link with section B
As the music subsides, Brahms uses a repeated harmonic pattern
G7 chord resolves to a C minor chord
F sharp dim7th chord resolving to a G major chord
Tonic pedal point Gs in both treble and bass

Question 6

B Contrast

Answer 6

Different key signature 
Change from minor to major mode
Different accompaniment 
Different dynamics (pp)
Use of soft pedal (una corda)
Duet Texture in melody

Question 7

B Bars 41 - 48

Answer 7

Mostly in 3rds and 6ths

Dissonance is heard in semitones E sharp and F sharp (b45)

Question 8

B Bars 49 - 56

Answer 8

Similar to the first phrase, but the fourth bar returns suddenly to the first line
Key is now D sharp Minor, relative minor of B Major, the dominant

Question 9

B Bar 56

Answer 9

Interrupts with a pretty melodic three quaver figure reintroduces the section B theme, marked dolce

Question 10

B Bars 57 - 64

Answer 10

Identical to bars 41-48

Question 11

B Bars 69 - 72

Answer 11

Gentle dissonance, quiet dynamic and wide spaced right hand chords
Imperfect cadence on a fermata ends the section

Question 12

Link to A Bars 73 - 76

Answer 12

Uses motif of the three notes from the opening work of the sequence, crescendo and a gradual increase to the original tempo

Question 13

A ii Bar 76

Answer 13

Use of an augmented, syncopated anacrusis for the for the return of the A theme

Question 14

A ii Bar 77 - 107

Answer 14

Identical to bars 1 - 31

Question 15

A ii Bar 108 difference

Answer 15

Phrase ends of G minor chord not G major in preparation for the end of the piece

Question 16

Bar 110 - End

Answer 16

Short coda
Bass confirms the G minor tonality and chord
Right hand has sustained chords for three bars
Two bars recalling B section melody now now heard in Minor key
Last four bars are marked una corda
Last two bars have instruction senza Ped (without pedal)