Essay - folk and nationalism

Question 1

Folk and nationalism - pieces to talk about

Answer 1

• Stamitz Opus 3 No 2
• Haydn 26
• Haydn 104
• Beethoven 6
• Beethoven 9
• Mendelssohn 4
• Dvorak 7 and 9
• Tchaikovsky Symphony 2
• Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture Op 49

Question 2

Folk and nationalism - Stamitz Opus 3 No 2

Answer 2

• Some folk related elements such as: pedal notes (that it can be argued are a sophisticated version of a drone) dotted rhythms, accented notes as well as simple melodies and motifs

Question 3

Folk and nationalism - Haydn Symphony 26

Answer 3

• Haydn’s father was a folk musician, he would have grown up hearing Austrian and Croatian folk music. The influence of this can be seen in the syncopated opening theme of his 26th Symphony inspired by ‘gypsy’ rhythms.

Question 4

Folk and nationalism - Haydn Symphony 104

Answer 4

• Haydn’s 104th symphony - drone on D at the beginning of the fourth movement above which is a simple folk like 4 bar melody with a narrow range. There is a recurring motif in the 4th movement of 2 accented crotchets
• The 3rd movement has a strongly accented 3rd beat in the manner of a folk dance, even though it is ostensibly a minuet.
• There is speculation that the first movement melody originated as a Croatian folk melody ‘Jelena jelena’.

Question 5

Folk and nationalism - Beethoven 6

Answer 5

• Beethoven’s 6th Symphony shows influences of folk music in the depiction of the sounds of bird calls (2nd movement).

Question 6

Folk and nationalism - Beethoven 9

Answer 6

• Strong advocate of German national identity. 9th symphony: choral finale ‘ode to joy’ poem - celebrate brotherhood and unity - simple crotchet rhythm, narrow range, balanced phrase structure

Question 7

Folk and nationalism - Mendelssohn 4

Answer 7

• Written to reflect the Italian countryside so some folk elements.
• Last movement is an Italian folk dance (Saltarello) which has a fast jumpy dotted like rhythm. It is also argued that the rhythms are at times reminiscent of another Italian folk dance called Tarantella – the rhythm of the tarantella is continuous quavers/semiquavers
• Whole piece overall is folk-like with accented notes and simple melodies (e.g. start of movement 2). The modal inflections are a clear folk reference as are the flattened 2nd which has a phrygian quality

Question 8

Folk and nationalism - Dvorak 7th symphony

Answer 8

• Dvorak was also one of the pioneers in nationalist influences in symphonic writing.
• 7th and 9th works influenced by Czech and Slavic folk music - uses Czech folk music technique where he repeats first motivic idea
• His seventh symphony was meant to express nationhood, therefore musical ideas and techniques originating from his country were used in this to convey that sense of patriotism.
• 7th symphony - lively Czech folk tune in final mvt (E.g. contrast of alternating between joyful and melancholic themes, bold and energetic brass + percussion in final mvt)

Question 9

Folk and nationalism - Dvorak 9th symphony

Answer 9

• Influenced by Czech and Slavic folk music - uses Czech folk music technique where he repeats first motivic idea
• Drone pedal effect in 2nd mv

Question 10

Folk and nationalism - Tchaikovsky 2nd symphony and 1812 overture op 49

Answer 10

• Tchaikovsky was greatly influenced by folk and nationalist ideas.
• 2nd Symphony - Ukranian folk melodies in 1st and 4th movements.
• He also employs a number of techniques that were associated with Russian folk music - open 5ths and other simple harmonies.
• 1812 Overture Op 49 - commerate russian victory over Napoleon - includes Russian national anthem