Elgar 1st Symphony - Movement 4 (Recapitulation + Coda)

Question 1

Why does the recapitulation remain tonally unstable?

Answer 1

Elgar wishes to keep the intensity of his piece until he resolves in the coda with the motto theme.

Question 2

What key is the first subject of the recapitulation in? Which figures is it in?

Answer 2

Ebm. 134 - 136.

Question 3

What key is the transition of the recapitulation in? Which figures is it in?

Answer 3

Eb major until 137, where it leans towards Gb major. It lasts from figures 136 to 139.

Question 4

What figures does the codetta play in?

Answer 4

Figures 139 - 141. It follows the equivalent passage in the exposition which was figures 116 - 118.

Question 5

Describe the overall structure of the coda.

Answer 5

It comes in 2 sections. A build in anticipation and a triumphant return of the motto.

Question 6

Which two themes feature heavily in the build up of the coda?

Answer 6

The staccato crotchet theme from the intro/development and the intro/transition theme.

Question 7

What instrument plays a massive fuck off note at figure 145 that just doesn’t fucking stop?

Answer 7

The motherfucking trumpets.

Question 8

Which instruments change to 6/4 at 145 and why?

Answer 8

The two Violin parts. This is to anticipate the return of the motto theme in the next figure. The Viola also changes two bars later.

Question 9

What is significant about the tonality at the point that the motto returns?

Answer 9

This signifies the piece finally tonally resolving to Ab.

Question 10

What cadence does Elgar use to end the piece?

Answer 10

Perfect. Eb7 powerfully resolving to an Ab major chord which holds for 3 bars when everyone just wants it to end already.