Pathétique Flashcards
Intro dynamics
- ‘grave’ played slow and solemn relating to pensive and somber atmosphere
- large + sudden dynamic changes to mirror intense emotions during romantic era
Intro rhythm
Played homorythmic where uses same ‘funeral’ motif
Intro structure
It is the intro which would have been highly unusual for the sonata form
Intro melody
- Different notes played up a sequence and chromatic 4th
- melodic flourishes which is a sequence of rapid played notes as a way of showman’s ship
Intro instrumentation
Use of the forte piano
Intro texture
Largely homophonic as chords played at same time
Key sig of harmony
C minor
Intro chords
- stacks of minor 3rds
- dim 7 chords which show unstable and can modulate through keys fast (common feature romantic era)
B5 onwards dynamics
- maintains rapid and sudden dynamic changes
- fermeta into 1st subject for dramatic pause and effect
B5 on rhythm
Use of syncopation into the motif but mainly HOMORYTHMIC
B5 on context
- fast and scallic sequences with semi Hemi demi semi qu’avers showing the virtuosic and showmanship
B5 on melody
- conjunct/descending
- fast with semi Hemi demi semi qu’avers
- melodic flourishes
B5 on texture
- mainly MDH
- during chromatic descending sequence, monophonic
B5 on harmony
- key sig to Eb maj
- use of chromatic harmony which was common feature of romantic era
- reads treble clef in b9 which creates an interrupted cadence of 5-6 = common feature of romantic
1st subject rhythm
Time sig change to 22
1st sub melody
- conjunct with few small leaps
- rapid ascending sequence = manheim rocket
- spiky articulation with use of staccato
1st subject bass part
- plays tonic pedalling also known as murky bass which allows to exploit full range of the piano
- chromatic notes - would expect Eb but in natural in key of C minor - unusual
1st subject melody harmony
Starts in C but then goes to Bb and E creating a tritone
- 3 whole tones creates clashing and dissonance
Bar 19
Has a perfect cadence of V-I with indication of finished feel
- does also use normal chords showing Beethoven also uses functional harmony = not everything is subverted and some conventional of classical period used
B27
Dominant chord of g acts as functional harmony
Transition sequence
- has same motif with changed melody as a classical musical device
- sequential writing is a reference to classical period to act as transition between 1st and 2nd subject
Transition harmony
- chromatic bass
- repeated Bb in bass which is dominant to Eb which is the key of 2nd subject
- acts as dominant preparation to modulate into new key of Eb minor
2nd sub dynamics
- uses ‘sopra’ which is hand crossing
- uses ‘sotto’ to play quietly under the melody and used so it’s easier
2nd sub rhythm
Still in 22
2nd sub melody
- melody is lyrical and legato
- decoration of melody with acciaccatura and upper mordents
- use of descending sequence for ‘new theme’