Symphony No40 in G minor

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

*Mostly regular, balanced 4/8 bar phrases - question and answer. Many are scalic in movement, 2nd sub moves chromatically.
*Disjunct movement in bridge for contrast
Melody - 1st subject - 1st and 2nd violins an octave apart, 2nd subject - shared between strings and woodwind

Question 2

Harmony

Answer 2

• Mainly diatonic
• Becomes more chromatic in development
• Pedal notes in cellos and double basses
• Use of imperfect and perfect cadences to signify endings of sections or movement

Question 3

Tonality

Answer 3

*1st sub - Gm, modulates to relative major (Bb) when subject is repeated
*Bridge - Bb with chromatic notes for tension
*Second sub - Bb
*Codetta - Bb to Gm
*Development - modulates to 7 different keys using ‘cycle of fourths’
Recapitulation - bridge passes through several keys, 2nd sub is Gm with chromatic bass

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

• Sonata (E, D, R)
• Exposition - mostly use of violins, introduced to woodwind in bridge to come into it more. Imitation between clarinet and bassoon in codetta.
• Development - chromatic, pedal points
• Recapitulation - longer bridge (canon with strings), 2nd sub shared between violins and woodwind, coda finished with perfect candence

Question 5

Instrumentation/Timbre

Answer 5

• Small orchestra
• Strings often have melody, double bass sound an octave below cello
• Double woodwind - sustained notes, not many scale runs
• Only brass are two horns (no trumpets or percussion)

Question 6

Texture

Answer 6

• Melody dominated homophony
• Violins 1 and 2 have octave doubling
• Dialogue between woodwind and strings
• Contrapuntal in development - counterpoint, imitation, countermelodies, sequences and pedal notes all add textural variety

Question 7

Rhythm

Answer 7

• Mainly simple, occasionally dotted in 2nd sub
• Occasional syncopation for momentum and interest
• 1st subject begins on upbeat
• Violins have mainly crotchets and quavers, woodwind have mainly sustained

Question 8

Tempo

Answer 8

• 4/4 ‘molto allegro’ - very fast

* Constant

Question 9

Mood

Answer 9

• Contrasted by expression markings (cres, dim, accents, sfz, slurs, staccato)
• Many different keys
• Gm tonic - serious, solemn, sad

Question 10

Dynamics

Answer 10

• Begins p - unusual for classical symphony

* Lots of later contrast - many cres, sfz and accents