Music Exam 02 Flashcards
What is the melody characteristic of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40?
Elegant, symmetrical phrases with motivic development; tuneful but urgent.
What type of harmony is used in Mozart’s Symphony No. 40?
Functional diatonic harmony in G minor; frequent modulations within Classical bounds.
Describe the rhythm in Mozart’s Symphony No. 40.
Steady, clear, with forward motion driven by syncopation and short rhythmic cells.
What is the tempo marking for Mozart’s Symphony No. 40?
Allegro molto (fast and energetic).
What are the dynamics like in Mozart’s Symphony No. 40?
Wide dynamic contrasts; sudden shifts add drama.
What is the texture of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40?
Primarily homophonic with moments of polyphonic interplay.
What is the timbre of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40?
Classical orchestration—strings dominant, light use of woodwinds and horns.
What form does the first movement of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 follow?
Sonata form—exposition, development, recapitulation.
What is the key takeaway from Mozart’s Symphony No. 40?
This is Classical clarity at its dramatic best. Balanced structure, but emotionally charged within tight formal rules.
What is the iconic melody motif in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5?
Four-note motif (short-short-short-long); obsessive development across movements.
What is the harmonic progression in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5?
Begins in stormy C minor, moves toward triumphant C major; more chromatic than Mozart.
Describe the rhythm of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
Rhythmic drive is relentless; that opening motif is a rhythmic identity.
What is the tempo marking for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5?
Allegro con brio (fast with vigor); sharp tempo contrasts between movements.
What are the dynamics like in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5?
Extreme—sudden fortes and pianissimos; Beethoven expands expressive range.
What is the texture of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5?
Complex layering—denser than Mozart; moments of stark monophony to thick tutti.
What is the timbre of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5?
Early Romantic expansion—heavier brass and percussion than typical Classical.
What form does the first movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 follow?
Sonata form, but Beethoven stretches it to heighten emotional drama.
What is the key takeaway from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5?
Beethoven is the revolution. He takes Classical tools and forges a new emotional language.
What is the melody characteristic of Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major?
Ornate, lyrical, vocal-like; the main theme feels improvised.
Describe the harmony in Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major.
Rich, chromatic; subtle modulations; uses dissonance to color emotional nuance.
What is the rhythm style used in Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major?
Flexible and expressive—rubato is essential here.
What is the tempo marking for Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major?
Lento (slow), but flows with expressive push and pull.
What are the dynamics like in Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major?
Highly nuanced, from whisper-quiet to glowing warmth.
What is the texture of Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major?
Homophonic—melody in right hand, accompaniment in left; lush inner voices emerge.
What is the timbre of Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major?
Solemn, intimate piano tone; warm, resonant.
What form does Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major follow?
Rounded binary or ternary (ABA); repeats with embellishments in the second A.
What is the key takeaway from Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major?
This is the Romantic spirit—interior, intimate, and expressive.
What are the main characteristics of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture?
Multiple themes—Russian hymns, folk melodies, and ‘La Marseillaise’; instantly memorable.
Describe the harmony in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
Nationalistic tonalities; lush Romantic harmonies and triumphant cadences.
What is the rhythm style of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture?
March rhythms, fanfares, accelerations; high variety for dramatic effect.
What is the tempo structure of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture?
Shifting—broad, then urgent, then explosive; structured for narrative pacing.
What are the dynamics like in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture?
Off the charts. Whispers to cannon fire—literal cannons and bells at the end.
What is the texture of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture?
Thick, polyphonic climax; thinner passages contrast to build tension.
What is the timbre of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture?
Monumental—full Romantic orchestra + artillery; power and grandeur.
What form does Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture follow?
Programmatic—not traditional form; a musical story arc from despair to victory.
What is the key takeaway from Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture?
This is musical theater without words.
What are the core traits of the Classical Period?
- Music as clarity, order, and symmetry
- Sonata form rules the day
- Themes and variations as form
- Obsession with balance and contrast
- Rise of genres: Symphony, String Quartet, Classical Concerto
Name two composers to know from the Classical Period.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Ludwig van Beethoven
What are the core traits of the Romantic Period?
- Music as emotion, drama, and individual genius
- Expanded orchestra
- Use of rubato and lyrical melodies
- Obsession with nature, literature, folklore, and nationalism
- Flexible forms
Name two composers to know from the Romantic Period.
- Frédéric Chopin
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
What are the elements of music that must be mastered?
- Melody
- Harmony
- Rhythm
- Tempo
- Dynamics
- Texture
- Timbre
- Form
Fill in the blank: The texture of the Classical Period is largely _______.
homophonic
Fill in the blank: The tempo marking for Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major is _______.
Lento
True or False: Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture follows a traditional sonata form.
False
Fill in the blank: The iconic opening motif of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 is often described as _______.
Fate knocking
