Piano Trio in G minor, Op 17 mvt 1 Flashcards
Schumann
What is the key of this piece
G minor
What is so significant about doing this piece in the key of G
It is Mozarts favourite key to convey sadness and tragedy.
CONTEXT: Clara was experiencing lots of turmoil in her life (husband becoming crazy…)
- she creates a cathartic response to biographical circumstances
What is the structure of this piece
Sonata form
What is so significant about the structure of this piece
It had no intro or coda
Name the sections in this sonata
Expo
Develop
Recap
“Coda”
AO4 point regarding the structure
This structure was commonly used in the classical period and bridged into the romantic period.
It became a fundamental structure for the first movements of chamber structures and symphonies
Wider listening for sonata form
“Funeral March” (I.e. Piano sonata in Eb major)
by Haydn
Piano sonata n. 3 in Bb major
By Mozart
WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE IN THE RELATIVE MAJOR KEY TO CLARA’S SONATA
“Appasionata” (Piano sonata n. 23 in F minor Op. 57) by Beethoven
How many 1 subjects are heard in this piece
1a, b, c, d
What are the lengths of the 1st subject like
Irregular phrases in length
The first note of 1b is played …. To 1a
Octave lower
The interval between the 1st and 2nd note of 1a is
A perfect 5th (played downwards)
What is the AO4 point for the irregular phrases of the subjects
It produces unease and a polyphonic texture.
Which is commonly heard in fugues - REMEMBER THAT CLARA IS WRITING EARLY ROMANTIC / LATE CLASSICAL PERIOD
Give a wider listening for irregular phrase lengths
Kate Bush : “And dream of sheep”
Bach : “Toccata and Fugue in D minor”
Wider listening for G minor
Mozart : Piano quintet n. 4
What is the piano accompaniment doing in the intro
Plays off beat causing rocking quavers
AO4 point for the rocking quavers
Serene, lullaby like quality obtained
Wider listening for rocking quavers in piano
Chopin : “Berecuese in Db major Op. 57”
What does Berecuese translate to in French
Lullaby
When was Berecuese composed and why might this be significant
1844
2 years before Schumann composed this sonata - might have been influenced
In terms of texture there are brief moments of
Monophony
Where is the monophony heard (instruments)
In the violin, descending scalically. Leads into the chromatic descent played in the LH piano
In bar 5 when 1b is heard, what happens in terms of harmony
There are constant passing modulations between Diminished 7ths and Dominant 7ths.
AO4 for Dim and Dom 7ths
Beethoven influenced her
Wider listening for Dim Dom 7ths
Beethoven : Piano sonata n23 in F minor Op 57
(“Appadsionata”)
What rhythms are heard in the melody
Dotted rhythms
What is the importance of dotted rhythms
Gives an upbeat sense which lightens up the melody
Wider listening for dotted quavers
Mendelssohn : piano trio n.1, D minor Op 49, mvt 1
In Mendelssohn : piano trio n.1, D minor Op 49, mvt 1
Describe
Creates dramatic contrasts between sections, alternating between stormy, passionate outbursts and more lyrical, reflective episodes
This sonata is harmonised predominantly with
Primary chords
Wider listening for pieces that use primary chords
Mozart: “Sonata Facile”
(Piano sonata n. 16 in C major K 545)
What is the mood of this piece in terms of the primary chords it uses
Mozart: “Sonata Facile”
(Piano sonata n. 16 in C major K 545)
The primary chords reinforce the graceful and balanced nature of the composition.
It uses functional harmony, and an Alberti base
3 types of sequences heard in this piece
- Rising
- Descending sequences of 3rds (Eb C A). i.e. Triadic
- Conjunct descent accompanying the chromatic descent in LH
Which piece also has sequences
Beethoven : “Archduke Trio”
(Piano Trio in Bb major Op. 97)
What is important to note in this piece in terms of sequences
Beethoven : “Archduke Trio”
(Piano Trio in Bb major Op. 97)
Musical motifs heard throughout but sometimes repeated at different pitches (alongside the use of counterpoint) creates a more expressive melody
In b.23 (when Ic is heard), what is the texture like
Homorhythmic
How is 1c introduced in terms of harmony, performance technique, dynamics
Sf / ff
Cadential 6 4
Double stopping in the violin
The double stopping (1c) is followed by what performance technique
Legato playing
AO4 for homorhythmic texture in 1c
March like feel - Distress
Unexpected interruption
Wider listening for homorhythmic, sharp, staccato playing
Brahms : Symphony n1 Cm, Op 68, Mvt. 1
What is the texture like in
Brahms : Symphony n1 Cm, Op 68, Mvt. 1
And give AO4 point
Occasional sections of homorhythm between families to propel the music forwards.
Sense of urgency
Climatic ending which gives resolution and a sense of triumph
Occasional chords are
Added 6th, 7th, 9th
What period are added chords typical of
Romantic period
Wider listening for added chords
Liszt : “Dream of love”
How are added chords used in “Dream of Love”
To portray the yearning for love and create intensity
In b. 30 we have….which causes a cadence
Chromatic alteration
In b. 30, where the chromatic alteration is used, what cadence is played and which key are we now in
Interrupted cadence -> V7-iii
Bb major (relative major)
There are…in the RH of the piano during two consecutive perfect cadences towards b. 31 (rhythm)
Quaver runs
What are the quaver runs musical seeds of
Beethoven’s 5th symphony
Harmony
Pedals
2 types of pedals used frequently
Dominant
Subdominant
When does the dominant pedal occur
In the violin and is then taken over by the piano
When do subdominant pedals occur (2 examples)
It is played on an Eb and ends the harmonic sequence of Bb, C, D. (Played in the LH)
During the heterophonic section. The subdominant pedal resolves chromatically upwards to a secondary dominant leading to a dominant pedal on F
What are pedals used for
Build the tension at the end of the exposition
Allows for further exploration of modulations
Wider listening pedals
Mozart : Piano sonata n.8 in A minor (Allegro Maestoso)
Mozart : Piano sonata n.8 in A minor (Allegro Maestoso)
(Pedal notes)
The pedal notes are played as quavers to produce urgency.
Evokes a sense of melancholy and intensifies the pathos and suspense in his sonata.
What texture is heard (that is usually uncommon)
Heterophonic texture
What is produced as a result of the 2 bar heterophony
Off beat rhythms
Wider listening for heterophonic texture
Stravinsky : “Rite of spring”
What does “Rite of Spring” explore in terms of texture
Folk melodies
What is unusual about when the 2nd subject is being played
2nd subject starts on the 2nd beat of the bar
What occurs between instruments
Imitation
Give 2 examples of when imitation is heard between the violin and cello
When piano is playing block chords, phrasing of violin is syncopated
Brief imitation accompanied by short harmonic sequences in the piano are used to introduce the internal codetta
Give 2 examples of when their is imitation between piano and violin
Linked between a perfect cadence
And when there is further imitation of the musical idea 1st sounded between b. 23 - 24. (Now, rhythmically developed)
AO4 point about imitation
Disrupts the lyrical melody of the first subject before the modulation to Bb major
Wider listening for imitation
Mozart : Piano trio n.2 in G major (Allegro)
In terms of imitation
Mozart : Piano trio n.2 in G major (Allegro)
Evokes a feeling of delight and light-heartedness
Elegance, playfulness, camaraderie and dialogue
The RH of the piano plays shifts of 3rds. AO4…
Common in early romantic period. Mendelssohn and Chopin regularly used this technique
In b. 49 something important happens in terms of harmony
Neapolitan chord is heard
F to Ab (degree of home key in G min)
Wider listening for Neapolitan chord
Chopin : Nocturne in Bb
What does the Neapolitan chord avoid in Chopin’s nocturn in Bb
Adds tension and chromaticism.
Moment of departure from the expected progression, adding to the unexpected atmosphere
Something happens in terms of melodies between the violin and cello (whilst played at pp)
Towards the end of the exposition
Countermelody outlines diminished 7th arpeggio
How does Clara return to G minor at the start of the repeat of the exposition
With a 6 bar modulation
What type of suspensions are used
4-3
Double simultaneous suspensions
9-8, 7-6
Why is a 4-3 suspension used (AO4)
To link 1(a) to 1(b), the second time it is heard
Wider listening suspensions
Brahms : Piano sonata n.3 in F minor
Suspensions in
Brahms : Piano sonata n.3 in F minor
Adds intensity
Mirrors Brahm’s struggles and his passions in life. Creates powerful climaxes that convey a sense of emotional turbulence.
Also, melancholy produced
The exposition is repeated. What is the AO4 point for this
Common of the romantic period and sonata forms
Wider listening for repeated exposition
Haydn : “London”
(Symphony n. 104 in D major Adagio - Allegro)
Between the LH of the piano and the violin something happens in terms of harmony / notes
Descending chromatic lines
Harmony (chords)
Diminished
Give an example of when diminished chords are used + AO4
A half diminished chord turning into a diminished chord, due to the F# added.
Helps the music modulate.
Romantic influence
Wider listening for diminished chords
Chopin : Fantasie impromptu in C#m
How is the accompaniment composed in this trio (piano) - harmony
Short harmonic sequences
Diminished chords
Chopin : Fantasie impromptu in C#m
Sense of yearning which alongside the fast and virtuosic sections, help create a contrast with the more lyrical and expressive passages.
Feeling of longing
Wider listening for short harmonic sequences
Schumann : Kinderszenen Op. 15 : 7
(Traumerei)
Short harmonic sequences in
Schumann : Kinderszenen Op. 15 : 7
(Traumerei)
Dreamlike and introspective character
In b. 53 what key are we in
Bb major. However, after 2 bars we move into D major as it shifted up a 3rd (dominant of the home key)
What is unusual about the fast progression from Bb to D
Traditionally it should have stayed in Bb, but the material is restless and unwilling to stay in anticipated key
What tempo marking is seen in b. 56
Poco rit.
Why is poco rit. Used
Sense of arriving at an acceptable key
Which piece uses rit
Beethoven : “Moonlight sonata”
After the rit. What is heard in terms of harmony
A dominant 7th played fp on the 2nd beat of the bar
AO4 dominant 7th
Destabilises the music
There is chromatic harmony that moves back to Bb, what is AO4 point
Outrageously colourful for the 1840s
Which key are we in in the development (b. 92)
Modulates to submediant (Eb)
Modulating to Eb in the development section causes…
Sense of settlement. However, as it is the development section, she writes in such a way that the music drives forward to explore new territory.
Between instruments there is…
Dialogue
What does dialogue create (texture)
Contrapuntal texture - contrasting the mainly homophonic texture form the beginning
In terms of suspensions in the development section. What happens
3 consecutive 7-6 sus, over a chromatically descending baseline
What is the AO4 point for having 3 consecutive 7-6 suspensions over a chromatically descending baseline
Adds depth and timbre to the music.
How do the suspensions return in the development section
1st and 2nd subject group material heard first in the violin then RH of the piano, then moves into the cello as the music moves towards Fm
Chromatic exploration of 1st subject material in violin, leading to to a harmonic sequence
1st subject material returns in LH, but now it is played in octaves. (Which adds weight to the music)
Having the return of subjects in the development is common in….
Chamber music
The phrases in the cello are sequenced up a tone. Give AO4
Intensifies the emotion of the piece.
Types of chords in development (3 examples)
Block
Off beat
Broken
All influences of the romantic period
Remember these 4 things heard throughout in piano (and the last one is between the instruments)
Dialogue
Arpegiases figures
Octave doubling
Imitation
Between the violin and cello, there is…which places emphasis on 2 7-6 suspensions played down beat
Free counterpoint
In b. 139-143 what happens in terms of harmony to introduce the appearance of the 2nd subject
Circle of 5ths
There is something which clearly indicates that the piece is romantic. (Chord)
French 6th
The cello’s tesitura in the development is…indicating that it is a romantic piece
Upper register
There are….descending expressively in the violin (development)
Diminished 5ths
A dominant pedal is played in the violin and cello in the development section. Give AO4
Piano is searching for the same dominant harmony - may convey the disorientating emotions Schumann felt in her life.
How is the recapitulation established in terms of harmony
It is established with a perfect cadence
AO4 for perfect cadence establishing the recapitulation
Replicates the 1st subject group exposition exactly as dictated by traditional sonata form
Intensely chromatic in recapitulation AO4
Typical of romantic period
There is a bridge passage in recapitulation what is significant AO4
Slightly altered from exposition
Wants to provide tonal stability and therefore need to slowly transition to the tonic of 6, not relative major
Describe the subjects in recapitulation
1d comes back in the bridge section. Only this time it is played a perfect 4th higher to allow progression to achieve tonal stability
2nd subject revealed by a dominant pedal in LH. NOW IN G MAJOR (tonic)
AO4 about subjects in recapitulation
Breaks the norms of sonata form
