Composition - Emperor Quartet - p. 55 - 59

Question 1

Give definition and name one example and composer of the term:

theme and variations*

Answer 1

• a work a melody (theme) followed by a series of transfomrations (variations)
• Changes can be made to melody, harmony, rhythm, or orchestration
• often used in the slow movement of a sonata cycle (so the second movement).

Example: String Quartet C Major, op. 76, no. 3 (“Emperor Quartet”)

Question 2

Give definition and name one example and composer of the term:

chamber music*

Answer 2

• music for small ensembles (two to 10 players), one player per part and usually performed without a conductor.

Example: String Quartet C Major, op. 76, no. 3 (“Emperor Quartet”)

Question 3

Provide the term and give one example composition and composer

Provide the term and give one example composition and its composer

• the most important chamber music genre of the Classical era. Instruments are first violin, second violin, viola, and cello

Answer 3

string quartet

Example: String Quartet C Major, op. 76, no. 3 (“Emperor Quartet”)

Question 4

Give definition and name one example and composer of the term:

string quartet*

Answer 4

• String quartet is the most important chamber music genre of the Classical era. Instruments are first violin, second violin, viola, and cello
• Usually in four movements: fast-slow-moderately fast - fast
• Fist fmovement is generally in sonata form

Example: String Quartet C Major, op. 76, no. 3 (“Emperor Quartet”)

Question 5

Provide the term and give one example composition and composer

Provide the term and give one example composition and its composer

• music for small ensembles (two to 10 players), one player per part and usually performed without a conductor.

Answer 5

chamber music

Example: String Quartet C Major, op. 76, no. 3 (“Emperor Quartet”) by Haydn

Question 6

Provide the term and give one example composition and composer

Provide the term and give one example composition and its composer

• a work a melody (theme) followed by a series of transformations

Answer 6

theme and variations

Example: String Quartet C Major, op. 76, no. 3 (“Emperor Quartet”)

Question 7

Identify the audio clip and answer the following

The name and movement of the piece

Key:

Which instrument plays theme:

Tempo:

Music features:

Answer 7

The theme from the second movement of the Emperior Quartet.

Key: G major

Theme: played by the first violin

Tempo: Poco adagio, catabile

Music features: dolce (“sweetly”) and homophonic texture

Question 8

Identify the audio clip and answer the following

Which instrument plays theme:

Music features:

Answer 8

Variation I from the second movement of the Emperior Quartet.

• Theme played by the second violin. To create contrast, first violin plays fast 16th notes.
• Viola and cello do not play.

Question 9

Identify the audio clip and answer the following

Which instrument plays theme:

Music features:

Answer 9

Variation II from the second movement of the Emperior Quartet.

Theme played by the cello. Other instrments have their own melodies. Rhythm increases.

Question 10

Identify the audio clip and answer the following

Which instrument plays theme:

Music features:

Answer 10

Variation III from the second movement of the Emperior Quartet.

Theme played by the viola.

Charmotic harmony in the accompaniment.

Syncopation in the violins.

Question 11

Identify the audio clip and answer the following:

Which instrument plays theme:

Music features:

Answer 11

Variation IV from the second movement of the Emperior Quartet.

Theme played the first violin, first time in the middle register, second time in the upper register

Changed to E minor so more serious and eventually modulates back to G major

Pedal points in the cello gives a sesne of finality to the movement

Question 12

What is the another title of the “Emperor Quartet”

Answer 12

The Emperor Quartet is also called: String Quartet In C Major, op. 76, no. 3

Question 13

What is the significance of title, “Emperor Quartet”?

Answer 13

Significance of title: It’s called Emperor because the second movement theme is based on an anthem

Question 14

Answer the following information questions on Emperor quartet:

Composition date:

Significance of title:

Structure:

Give second movement overall music features

Answer 14

Genre: string quartet

Composition date:1797

Significance of title: It’s called Emperor because the second movement theme is based on an anthem

Structure: four movements (sonata cycle)

• five phrases: aabcc
• hymn text honours the Austrian emperor
• binary form (AB)
• mostly diatonic harmonies