Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major

Question 1

Instrumentation of this concerto

Answer 1

• 2 flutes
• 2 bassoons
• 2 horns in a
• Solo clarinet in A
• Violin I
• Violin II
• Viola
• Violoncello
• Double bass

Question 2

Structure of this movement

Answer 2

A - Rondo Theme
B - First Episode
A - Return of rondo theme
C - Second Episode
A - Return of rondo theme

Question 3

Give 3 Melodic features of the rondo theme:

Answer 3

• Virtuosic
• Mixture of Legato and Staccato
• Chromaticism for colour
• Soloist uses semiquavers to show off range and ability
• Rising sequence of descending scales in strings

Question 4

How has Mozart created interest in this movement?

Answer 4

• Clarinet was a new instrument which appealed to the audience
• Virtuosic playing
• Altissimo
• Lower register
• Use of all registers of clarinet
• Contrast between full orchestra and solo
• Expressive dynamics
• Tutti sections

Question 5

Harmonic features of the Rondo theme:

Answer 5

• Use of extended chords like V7 chord
• Passing modulation in E major from bars 17
• Sustained rising chords
• Mostly diatonic with occasional chromaticism
• Mostly primary chords

Question 6

Rhythmic Features of the Rondo theme:

Answer 6

• Syncopation
• Interesting rhythmic patterns
• Hemiola in b131

Question 7

Textural features of the Rondo theme:

Answer 7

• Tutti sections
• Melody and Accompaniment

Question 8

Ornaments used by Clarinet:

Answer 8

• Acciaccatura
• Appogiatura
• Trill

Question 9

Uses of the horns:

Answer 9

• Pedal notes
• Emphasise cadence points

Question 10

Melodic features of the 1st episode:

Answer 10

• Decorations in melody
• Repeating melody in different octaves to show range
• Melody moves to flutes

Question 11

Harmonic features in Ep1

Answer 11

• Tonic Pedal in Violin 2
• Shift to dominant key of E major confirmed by D#
• Perfect cadence in E major
• Neopolitan 6th, Adventerous
• Chromaticism

Question 12

Textural Features in Episode 1

Answer 12

• Waltz-like accompaniment
• Orchestra plays tutti for 4 bars
• Anitphony

Question 13

Melodic features of Episode 2

Answer 13

• More lyrical melody
• Disjunct, massive jumps shows range of clarinet
• Developed Rondo theme
• Repeat of material in ep1 but in a minor key
• Imitation

Question 14

Harmonic features of Episode 2

Answer 14

• Tonic Pedal F#
• D maj phrase (subdominant of A)
• Rising chromatic ideas
• Tonic minor chord
• Dissonance
• V7b9 chord
• Neapolitan 6th chord again

Question 15

Features of Recapitulation:

Answer 15

• Tonic Pedal
• Antiphony between horns and clarinet
• Bar 312, Bubbling exciting melody with and internal pedal
• Disjunct leaps shows range
• Dim 7th chord
• Repeated perfect cadences at the end

Question 16

Keys in Rondo theme

Answer 16

• A major

Question 17

Keys in Ep1:

Answer 17

• A major
• E major

Question 18

Keys in Ep2:

Answer 18

• F#m
• D major

Question 19

Name 2 keys used in the movement

Answer 19

• A major
• E major
• F# minor
• D major
• A minor