Core Wider Listening: Webern (Expressionism).

Question 1

Structure?

Answer 1

• The only traditional aspect = structure; loosely based on sonata form.
• The exposition and development use the same forms of the row, although they are presented slightly differently.
• The introduction and development are exactly symmetrical mirror versions of each other.
• Webern uses repeats and slight ritenutos to help mark the changes between sections.

Question 2

Harmony and tonality?

Answer 2

• The use of the row means -> maximally chromatic.
• The row eliminates the traditional hierarchy of scales and chords.
• This lack of harmony means there is no sense of key or tonic.
• The harmony is very dissonant with lots of seconds, sevenths and tritons
• The writing is sparse, with mostly only one or two notes at the same time.

Question 3

Melody and rhythm?

Answer 3

• Webern’s choice of note order in the row = chromatic nature, with no diatonic patterns emerging.
• Large and awkward leaps in the melody.
• The melody = highly fragmented; single notes and pairs of notes separated by rests.
• The melody rapidly switches from once instrument to another.
• Serial construction means the melody is highly repetitive

Question 4

Texture and sonority?

Answer 4

• Polyphonic with piano treated as two melodic lines - one in each hand.
• Extensive use of imitation. In particular, the opening, like much of the piece makes use of mirror canons.
• The texture is very sparse (pointillism).
• The melody is fragmented across the ensemble, with each instrument only taking a couple of notes of the melody at a time.

Question 5

What to listen out for in expressionism?

Answer 5

High levels of dissonance, chromaticism and irregularity in general.
- This music often sounds deliberately anti-traditional.

Question 6

Full title?

Answer 6

Anton Webern, Quartet Op. 22 (1930).