Haydn Flashcards
How is ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ an example of late Classical music in terms of melody?
- Melodies of the fugue are sequential and vocal melodies are mostly stepwise in movement. Melodies of the Fugue can be traced to either the subject or countersubject which creates thematic unity.
- Triadic in the fugue and passagework.
- Melisma especially on the word ‘amen’ which was common in Classical instrumental writing.
- Ornamentation such as appoggiaturas and turns especially in the solo violin melody.
How is ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ an example of late Classical music in terms of harmony?
- Functional and diatonic harmony. Mainly uses primary chords (I, IV and V) as well as chord II.
- Frequent cadences and suspensions throughout.
- Trommelbass accompaniment indicates slow moving harmonies in the Classical Era.
- Colla parte is frequent in the orchestra and voices in the fugal section but provides a more chordal based accompaniment for the solo voices.
How is ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ an example of late Classical music in terms of texture?
- The first section is homophonic with question and answer phrases.
- The second section is a fugato. Fugues were very characteristic of the Classical Era.
- Terraced dynamics was a typical feature of the Baroque Era but the sudden contrasts between piano and forte were typical of the Classical Era.
- Stretti in the fugue is typical of the Classical Era
How is ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ an example of late Classical music in terms of rhythm and metre?
- Syncopation on the sustained notes in the sequences.
- Rhythmic diminution creates excitement.
How is ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ an example of late Classical music in terms of structure?
- Solo singers interchange with the chorus which is only seen in Haydn’s late Masses.
- This section is regarded as a Recapitulation of Sonata Form which is very typical of the Classical Era.
- Thematic contrasts and motivic development represent the Trinity.
How is ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ an example of late Classical music in terms of instrumentation?
- Solo singers interchange with the chorus which is only seen in Haydn’s late Masses.
- Baroque ensemble only because of the financial instability due to the war. The wind octet had to be dismissed but extra wind parts would have been added later.
- Instruments include 2-3 trumpets, timpani, string orchestra and organ continuo (and the use of figured bass). These instruments were usually associated with Baroque music however, this was also typical of sacred music in the Classical period.
- Trumpet writing is very Classical as it plays in tutti with the timpani reinforcing the tonic and the dominant in bar 3-6.
- Trommelbass accompaniment indicates slow moving harmonies in the Classical Era.
- Colla parte is frequent in the orchestra and voices in the fugal section but provides a more chordal based accompaniment for the solo voices.
How is ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ an example of late Classical music in terms of historical context?
- Large scale chorale works became very popular in Vienna in the later 18th Century.
- Baroque ensemble only because of the financial instability due to the war. The wind octet had to be dismissed but extra wind parts would have been added later.
How does the melody in ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ show the importance of religion?
- Melisma especially on the word ‘amen’
- The text is emphasised by the traditional church music formula of a cantor singing a versicle followed by a congregational response. ‘For you are the Holy one’ in bars 1-8.
- Melody reflects the religious text. ‘a cry of relief’ is sung over a tonic pedal so portray the music ‘relief’.
How does the structure in ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ show the importance of religion?
-The ‘Gloria’ is divided into three main sections (Credo, Sanctus and Angus Dei) which represent the Trinity.
How does the texture in ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ show the importance of religion?
-Triple counterpoint in bars 26-29 represents the Holy Trinity as it is three separate voices.
How does the instrumentation in ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ show the importance of religion?
- Organ continuo was common in religious music.
- Instruments include 2-3 trumpets, timpani, string orchestra and organ continuo (and the use of figured bass). These instruments were usually associated with Baroque music however, this was also typical of sacred music in the Classical period.
How is the importance of drama and musical form shown in ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ in terms of melody?
-Ornamentation more for drama rather as it was also a common effect in secular music.
How is the importance of drama and musical form shown in ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ in terms of harmony?
-Perfect cadences used, for example at the end, rather than plagal cadences.
How is the importance of drama and musical form shown in ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ in terms of tonality?
-D major is a key associated with festive occasions. Trumpets were normally pitched in D in the 18th century as they were a happy fanfare instrument.
How is the importance of drama and musical form shown in ‘Nelson Mass (Quoniam tu Solus Sanctus)’ in terms of texture?
- Terraced dynamics create drama and contrast.
- Variation of textures for contrast. Contrapuntal in fugue.
- Varying textures in homophonic sections contrasts the solo voice and strings and full choir with the full orchestra with trumpets and timpani.
- Stretti create excitement in the music as entries are closer together and also more canonic.
