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

Question 1

Performance Markings

Answer 1

• div.(viola part) - The players divide into two groups
• 1 - A single person plays this part
• a 2 - Both players play this part
• sf - Accent
• tr - Trill

Question 2

Structure and Tonality

Answer 2

• This movement is in sonata form, in the key of G minor
• Exposition First Subject- Melody that is characterised by a falling motif to the repeated rhythm and played by strings at first in G minor.
• Exposition Second Subject- A melody with descending chromatic patterns shared between strings and woodwind in Bb major.
• Development- Based on the first subject, which is developed and fragmented and moves through various keys starting in F sharp minor.
• Recapitulation- First subject- The first subject is repeated with some variation in G minor.
• Recapitulation- Second Subject- The second subject is repeated with some variation in G minor.
• Recapitulation- Coda- Repeated perfect cadences in G minor to finish the piece.

Question 3

Melody

Answer 3

• Most melodies are made up of balanced, four- or eight-bar phrases that sound like questions and answers. (Second subject start with a four bar phrase that ends with an imperfect cadence, like a question, followed by a four bar phrase with a perfect cadence making up the answer.
• Many phrases are scalic (based on scales)

Question 4

Harmony

Answer 4

• The harmony is diatonic and functional, based around standard major and minor triads.
• Chromatic chords, such as the diminished 7th and augmented 6th
• A circle of 5ths progression(in second subject)
• Pedal notes, cellos just before the second subject starts.

Question 5

Rhythm, Metre and Tempo

Answer 5

• The metre is 4/4 throughout
• The tempo is ‘Molto Allegro’- very fast
• Short rhythmic ideas are repeated to create unity
• Rhythms are fairly simple, although there are some dotted rhythms and syncopation to help create momentum and add interest.

Question 6

Texture

Answer 6

• The texture is mostly homophonic
• Counterpoint and imitation in the development
• Octave doublings, which are frequently used
• Dialogue between the woodwind and strings at the start of the second subject.

Question 7

Dynamics

Answer 7

• In the exposition, apart from a short passage in the middle, the first subject is quiet, the transition is loud and the second subject begins quietly and gets louder towards the end.
• The development has a loud section in the middle but starts and ends quietly.
• The recapitulation has similar dynamics to the exposition.
• Most dynamic contrasts occur suddenly, there are only a few crescendos and no diminuendos.

Question 8

Use of Instruments

Answer 8

• Mozart uses a chamber orchestra made up of strings, woodwind and horns.
• The strings are busy almost all of the time. They play a variety of material, such as melody, quick running scales, sustained notes and forceful chords.
• The woodwind don’t play quite as much and have more sustained notes, and a fewer quick runs than strings. They share the start of the second subjects with the strings.
• The two horns are in different keys(one in G and the other in Bb), which maximises the number of notes they can play between them. The horns mostly play held or repeated notes to sustain harmonies.

Question 9

History

Answer 9

-Symphony No.40 was one of Mozart’s last symphonies, written in 1788. It was intended to be performed in a large room of a stately home or small concert hall. The symphony has four movement, we are studying the first one. Classical period- 1750-1825