List D Flashcards
When was Bohuslav Martinu around?
1890-1959
What country was Martinu from?
Czech
What was his main occupation?
A composer and violinist
What did Martinu do in his career?
He studied at the Prague conservatory, and later with Roussel in Paris. He moved to the USA in 1941, but periodically returned (though not to his homeland) after the end of the Second World War.
What influence did Martinu have on music when he was alive?
He was one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. He composed many operas, ballets, concertos and chamber music His major works include six symphonies, seven string quartets and the operas Juliette and Ariadne. His style can be described as neoclassical.
What is neoclassical characterised by?
- Frequent triadic harmony (Using major and minor common chords), but often without following conventions key relationships or modulation processes
- Parallel movement of triads
- Chromaticism
- Ostinatos (repeating rhythmic or melodic patterns)
- Lively, often syncopated irregular rhythms
What were some of his flute compositions?
A Trio for flute, piano and cello, a trio for violin, flute and piano, Promenades or flute, violin and harpsichord, Madrigal sonata for flute, violin and piano.
When was the Sonata No.1 for flute and piano written?
1945
What key is the first movement in?
It’s written to be in C major but it uses accidentals that implies it is in Eb major. The introduction is based around an Eb major triad with chromaticism
What form is the first movement in?
Ternary form
What speed is the first movement and what does it mean?
Allegro moderate which is a moderate lively and fast speed
What is the structure of the first A section in the first movement?
1-2- Introduction based on Eb major with chromaticism
3-20 Main theme in piano, Eb major, ending with a perfect cadence. There is a dominant pedal for the first five bars. Modulates to Ab major (subdominant) with the main theme transposed in b15 returns to the tonic in b19.
20-39 Flute enters with a new theme in Eb major. Modulates to C major in b 25 and F major in b. 28. Moves through F minor (b. 33). And Eb minor (b.37) to Eb major
40-54 Main theme in flute, similar to b.3-2-. The piano takes the theme as before in b44-50 while the flute has a new countermelody
55-67 Fragments of the main theme in the flute, in F major then Bb major
What is the structure of the B section in the first movement?
68-69 New motives based on repeated notes then alternating 3rds. The flute melody passes through B major (b.71) and F major (b.77) with the piano part sometimes creating bitonality
90-114 Piano interlude, based around thirds and parallel chords in G minor (99-101). Bb major (102-109) and F major, sometimes using unrelated triads or bitonality
114-126 More diatonic than the previous passages with 3rds motive in flute, D minor then G minor (118) and C major (120). This followed by a passage of non-triadic harmony with some references to Eb major
126-131 Main theme of section A anticipated in piano with cross rhythms in flute; very chromatic, but returning to Eb major (notice cycle of 5ths F-Bb-Eb in the bass)
What happens with the structure of the second A section of the first movement?
132-184 A reprise of b.1-67, omitting b8-20
187-2-3 Begins similarly to Section B. At b191 a new melody, outlining the falling 4th of the main theme, is heard in the flute, F major. The parallel chord motive, previously heard in b.105-6, is heard in the piano in Bb major in b.202-3.
204-212 Poco Meno. Main theme in flute Bb major
What key is the second movement in?
Eb minor
