Development of the Symphony - Melody Flashcards
Describe Haydn’s symphonies and their relevance to melody.
Haydn’s early symphonies were in Viennese in style. Some of his early symphonies display originality in the use of nonstandard phrase lengths and in their monothematic tendencies.
Haydn’s middle symphonies were more serious and as a result he began placing greater musical demands on his musicians, using more contrapuntal compositional techniques, more contrasting dynamics and musical expressions.
Haydn also began to incorporate the elements of the new Sturm und Drang literary movement into his symphonies.
Melodically, Haydn drew on folk music for inspiration, especially in minuets. His work reveals a gradual growth in appreciation of the idiomatic qualities of wind instruments, especially in trios of minuets (e.g. Symphony no. 22 and Symphony no. 40).
Describe Beethoven’s influence on melody.
In his development of motifs and variation of entire themes, Beethoven is unchallenged. E.g. movement 2 of his Symphony no.6 - Pastoral.
Describe Schubert’s influence on melody.
Being primarily a songwriter, Schubert excelled at melody - e.g. movement 1 of his Unfinished Symphony.
Describe Berlioz and Liszt’s influence on melody.
Idee fixe was introduced in Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and was programmatic.
Liszt also added to the development with his thematic transformation - e.g. Faust Symphony.
Describe Mendelssohn’s influence on melody.
He used a traditional structure and was a great writer of light, facile melodies - E.g. opening of the Italian Symphony.
Describe Schumann’s influence on melody.
He was a traditionalist whose most successful symphonic quality was melodic and harmonic writing.
Describe Brahms’ influence on melody.
He composed 4 symphonies. Chromatic harmony and contrapuntal development are fully exploited throughout.
Describe Dvorjak’s influence on melody.
His melodic invention, often based on irregular folk-like scale forms, and his captivating irregularity of phrase length, Movement 3 of New World symphony e.g.
