Symphony No.40

Question 1

Describe the instrumentation

Answer 1

Classical Orchestra:
 Violins, violas, cellos, double basses, 1 flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 French horns
 Does not use trumpets or drums

Question 2

What is the time signature?

Answer 2

4/4

Question 3

Describe sonata form

Answer 3

 Sonata form is the first movement of a Symphony
 Fast tempo
 3 sections – Exposition, development and recapitulation NO INTRO!

Question 4

Describe the harmony

Answer 4

Harmony was functional – I, IV, V and VI
1st Subject – G minor
2nd Subject – B flat major (relative
major) in exposition but G minor in
recapitulation
A variety of keys are explored in
the development section

Question 5

Describe the 1st subject

Answer 5

bars 1-3 – a repeated idea followed with an upward leap of a sixth

Question 6

Describe the 2nd subject

Answer 6

Much more relaxed in relative major and shared between strings and woodwind.
Semitonal chromatic descent

Question 7

What musical devices are used?

Answer 7

 Sequences
 Repetition
 Pedal notes used in development

Question 8

Name some features of classical

Answer 8

 Structured with a sense of symmetry
 Clear-cut schemes with regular cadences
 Ideas or contrast – key, dynamics, melodies
 Melody-dominated texture

Question 9

Describe the interval between parts

Answer 9

 Violins play the melody (first subject) in octaves

 Violas are playing accompaniment in 3rds and then 6ths at the beginning

Question 10

Tempo marking

Answer 10

Molto Allegro

Question 11

Tonality

Answer 11

Molto Allegro

Question 12

Texture

Answer 12

Mainly “Melody and
Accompaniment” Texture –
HOMOPHONIC.
Polyphonic in development.

Question 13

Dynamics

Answer 13

Starts off p but lots
of dynamic contrast
including use of sfz
and accents

Question 14

Pitch

Answer 14

Violins play 1st subject in octaves.
Limited pitch range.
2nd subject moves CHROMATICALLY

Question 15

Rhythm

Answer 15

Scale passages and rising
sequences
1st Subject – crotchet and quaver
rhythm
2nd Subject – slower, legato
rhythm

Question 16

Describe the sections in the exposition

Answer 16

First Subject
Bridge Passage
Second Subject
Codetta

Question 17

Describe the development

Answer 17

based on the opening of the first subject; texture becomes more polyphonic; it explores different keys
very quickly; pedal notes are used in the development; themes are passed between instruments

Question 18

Describe the recapitulation

Answer 18

not a direct repeat of Exposition – starts off in G minor as expected, the linking bridge passage is
longer, second subject now in G minor too, lots of scale passages and rising SEQUENCES, ends with a CODETTA