Symphony No.40 In G Minor

Question 1

What is the structure?

Answer 1

Sonata form

Question 2

What key is it in?

Answer 2

G minor

Question 3

What is the exposition split into?

Answer 3

First and second subject

Question 4

What key is the first subject in?

Answer 4

G minor

Question 5

What is the melody characterised by in the first subject?

Answer 5

A falling motif

Question 6

Who first plays the first subject?

Answer 6

Strings

Question 7

What is the second subject characterised by?

Answer 7

Descending chromatic patterns

Question 8

Who plays the second subject

Answer 8

It’s shared between strings and woodwind

Question 9

What key is the second subject in?

Answer 9

B flat major (relative major)

Question 10

What is the development based on?

Answer 10

The first subject which is developed and fragmented

Question 11

What key is the development in?

Answer 11

It moves through various keys starting in f sharp minor

Question 12

What is the recapitulation split into?

Answer 12

First subject, second subject, coda

Question 13

What key is the recapitulation in?

Answer 13

G minor

Question 14

What finishes the piece in the coda?

Answer 14

Repeated perfect cadences in G minor

Question 15

What are the melodies made up of?

Answer 15

Balanced, four or eight bar phrases that sound like questions and answers

Question 16

What is the word used to describe ‘based on scales’?

Answer 16

Scalic

Question 17

What is the harmony like?

Answer 17

It’s diatonic and functional

Question 18

What other features are there in the harmony?

Answer 18

Chromatic chords
A circle of fifths progression
Pedal notes

Question 19

What is the metre?

Answer 19

4/4

Question 20

What is the tempo?

Answer 20

Motto allegro- very fast

Question 21

Which rhythms help to create momentum and add interest?

Answer 21

Dotted rhythms and syncopation

Question 22

Texture?

Answer 22

Mostly homophonic

Question 23

What other textures are there?

Answer 23

Counterpoint and imitation
Octave doublings
Dialogue between woodwind and strings

Question 24

What are the dynamics like in the exposition?

Answer 24

First subject is quiet
Transition is loud
Second subject begins quietly and gets louder

Question 25

What are the dynamics like in the development?

Answer 25

Has a loud section in the middle but starts and ends quietly

Question 26

What are the dynamics like in the recapitulation?

Answer 26

Similar to the exposition

Question 27

What does Mozart use for the instruments?

Answer 27

A chamber orchestra - strings, woodwind and horns

Question 28

Why are the two horns in different keys?

Answer 28

To maximise the number of notes they can play

Question 29

Why style of music is it?

Answer 29

Classical

Question 30

When was it written?

Answer 30

1788

Question 31

Where was it intended to be performed?

Answer 31

Large room of a stately home or small concert hall

Question 32

How many movements does the symphony have and which one is this?

Answer 32

It has four movements - this is the first

Question 33

Who wrote this piece?

Answer 33

Mozart