Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor (first movement)

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

o Sonata Form:

1. Exposition – 1st Subject, Transition, 2nd Subject, Codetta
2. Development – 1st Subject (elaborated)
3. Recapitulation – 1st Subject (variation), Transition, 2nd Subject (variation), Coda (finish)

Question 2

Tonality

Answer 2

o G Minor
o Chromaticisms – melancholy mood (pathétique)
o 2nd Subject of the Exposition – B♭ (relative) Major
o Development – modulates to various keys
o Coda – G minor, perfect cadence

Question 3

Melody

Answer 3

o 1st Subject – falling motif on the repeated rhythm ♫♩
o 2nd Subject – descending chromatic patterns
o Development – developed and fragmented (inversions, countermelodies)
o Periodic phrasing – question and answer (balanced 4/8-bar phrases)
o Combination – Conjunct, Disjunct, Triadic

Question 4

Harmony

Answer 4

o Diatonic and Functional (based around standard major and minor triads)
o Chromatic Chords
o Circle of 5ths Progression (2nd subject)
o Pedal Notes

Question 5

Rhythm

Answer 5

o Fairly simple repeated rhythmic ideas (unity)
o Syncopation and dotted rhythms (momentum, interest)
o Augmentation – increasing the time value of notes

Question 6

Metre

Answer 6

o 4/4

Question 7

Tempo

Answer 7

o Molto Allegro (very fast)

Question 8

Texture

Answer 8

o Mainly Homophonic
o 5-part Texture – Divisi in Viola’s (fuller texture)
o Octave Doubling (Violin 1+2)
o Counterpoint and Imitation (Development)
o Dialogue (woodwind and strings) – Antiphony/Canon

Question 9

Dynamics

Answer 9

o Sudden – few crescendos, no diminuendo’s, sforzandos
o Exposition – quiet, loud, quiet, crescendo, loud
o Development – quiet, loud, quiet
o Recapitulation – quiet, loud, quiet, crescendo, loud

Question 10

Instrumentation

Answer 10

o Chamber Orchestra
o Strings (Violin 1+2, viola, cello, double basses) – very busy, quick running scales, forceful chords
o Woodwind (flute, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 clarinets; later added) – less active, sustained notes
o 2 Horns (G and B♭) – maximises number of notes, repeated notes, sustain harmonies
o Articulation – legato and staccato
o NO trumpets/drums