Unit 1: Symphony

Question 1

symphony background and origins

Answer 1

• developed 18th century
• built on three-section Italian overture (fast-slow-fast)
• Mannheim composers inserted menuet and trio: four-movement sonata cycle
• sonata form generally in first movement
• composed with four orchestral families

Question 2

Composers of the Italian overture sometimes referred to as “_,” included Alessandro _, Giovanni _, and Domenico _

Answer 2

sinfonias, Scarlatti, Pergolesi, Cimarosa

Question 3

Mannheim School

Answer 3

• court of Mannheim, Germany, 18th century
• Johann Stamtz, Ignaz Holzbaur, Christian Cannabich, Karl Stamitz
• precision in performance, wide dynamic range, dramatic effects
• developed orchestral crescendo, rocket theme, grand pause
• basso continuo replaced with orchestral parts
• influence development of symphony, Viennese school composers

Question 4

sonata form

Answer 4

• formal structure
• often in first movement of sonata cycle
• exposition (two or more contrasting themes), development (departure), recapitulation (Return)
• sonata-allegro form

Question 5

(exposition)

Answer 5

• first main section in sonata form
• two contrasting themes stated
• first theme in tonic key
• second theme(s) in contrasting (generally dominant or relative major)

Question 6

(development)

Answer 6

• second main section in sonata form
• themes from exposition manipulated: fragmentation, sequential treatment, changes to orchestration; modulation, increased harmonic tension
• new themes may be introduced

Question 7

(recapitulation)

Answer 7

• third main section in sonata form

- first and second themes restated in tonic key

Question 8

(coda)

Answer 8

• from Latin “tail” (Cauda)

- concluding section reaffirming tonic key

Question 9

monothematic exposition

Answer 9

• in sonata form: second thee is transposed version of first theme
• used by Haydn

Question 10

symphony characteristic features

Answer 10

• multi-movement orchestral work
• orchestra has four families: strings, winds, brass, percussion
• four contrasting movements
• key: tonic, often subdominant, tonic, tonic
• tempo: lively, slow, fast/moderately fast, fast/lively

-form: sonata,
ternary/theme and var/rondo,
ternary/menuet and trio,
sonata/sonata-rondo/theme and var

-description: may begin w/ introduction
lyrical, expressive character
Beethoven repaced elegant menuet and trio w/ the more dynamic scherzo and trio
lively finale