Poulenc, Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

Question 1

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

What is Neoclassical about the structure?

Answer 1

conventional ternary form ABA’

with ‘interpolated’ sections - a technique more associated with Stravinsky

each large section is rather ‘episodic’ - also a feature of Stravinsky

Question 2

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

can you describe the structure in detail?

Answer 2

A (a b c)

transition

B (d a’ e)

transition

A’ (a e’ b c)

coda

Question 3

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

section A

what happens tonally?

Answer 3

a)

• G major
• second phrase has a transitory modulation to the dominant

b)

• G major with some tonic minor inflection

c)

• G major

transition

• G major to G minor

Question 4

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

What happens tonallty in the middle section?

Answer 4

d)

• Eb major

a’ (interpolation)

• Bb major

e)

• Bb major

Question 5

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

last section (A’)

what happens tonally?

Answer 5

all in G major

Question 6

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

in what way could so say that the tonality shows signs of neoclassicism?

Answer 6

it’s tonal…

second main phrase moves to dominant - as often in Classical period music

teriary key relationships G-Eb then Bb-G (more typical of Schubert)

A’ all in tonic (as in a Classical period ternary form piece)

Question 7

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

why could we say that the marmony here is typical of early 20thC French neoclassicism?

Answer 7

simple chords

often primary triads

often ‘functional’ harmony

traditional cadences

but…

some humorous ‘wrong’ notes

often gently/mildy discordant

wirder range of chords than Mozart (9ths, 11ths, 13ths etc)

Question 8

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

Poulenc’s melodies are characteristic of early 20thC French neoclassicism

explain…

Answer 8

‘classical’ style:

• some periodic phrasing
• melodies based on scales and triads
• short phrases

more ‘modern’ (Stravinskian)

• some large leaps (up to 2 octaves)
• some repetitive yet irregual phrasing (section A-b)

Question 9

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

What aspects of the rhythm are typical of neoclassicism?

Answer 9

• much of it resembles the kind of rhythms found in the 18thC
• some very simple rhythms, mostly crotchets, quavers, semiquavers
• mostly 4/4

otoh

• some passages are very syncopated and irregular (Stravinskian)
• there are many changes of tempo and time signture in two sections (A-b and A’-b)

Question 10

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

texture

what is it about Poulenc’s textural writing that is typical of neoclassical thinking?

Answer 10

• almost completely melody dominanted homophony (as in the Classical period)

there is some variation:

• occasional two-part homophony with the melody in sixths
• one passage of two-part homophony with a hocketed ‘oom-pah’ accompaniment
• parts of the transitions are technically speaking monophonic

Question 11

Poulenc — Sonata for Trumpet, Horn and Trombone

(1st movement)

what can you say about the forces used?

Answer 11

chamber music, but a typically 20thC ensemble

trio

trumpet, horn, trombone

only playable on modern instruments (not classical period ones)

range and difficulty not demanding by modern standards