Vivaldi- Mvmt 1 Flashcards
How long is Ritornello 1?
13 bars (1-13.1)
How long is Episode 1?
8 bars (13-20)
How long is Ritornello 2?
5 1/2 bars (21-26.3)
How long is Episode 2?
21 bars (26.3-47.2)
How long is Ritornello 3?
5 1/2 bars (47.3-53.1)
How long is Episode 3?
43 bars (53-95)
How long is Ritornello 4?
5 bars (96-100)
How many ideas are there in Ritornello 1?
3 (A,B and C)
Describe idea A
It is a one bar rhythmic and melodic shape consisting of two pairs of dotted quaver-semiquavers (upper auxiliary pattern) followed by two pairs of straight quavers (A1) then four repeated monotones (A2) at a 9th then a 12th interval
What are the harmonies in bar 1-8?
A series of perfect cadences in the tonic key, establishing the key and driving the music forward, until bar 5. Bar 6- VII-III Bar 7- VI-II Bar 8- V-I (A good example of harmonic sequence)
Describe idea B
The flute joins the strings in unison, playing a crotchet tried to a semiquaver, providing rhythmic impetus and syncopation.
Describe the differences and similarities between idea A and B
Difference- idea B has conjunct semiquaver run followed by octave leaps.
Similarities- the use of upper auxiliary notes and a downward leap.
Describe idea C
A D major scale filling in the octave leap in ideas B (A-A) using the typical two-semiquaver-quaver rhythm adding rhythmic dynamism. The lowest note is emphasised by a trill
What’s the phrasing of Ritornello 1?
Asymmetrical phrase
What instrument plays Episode 1?
A solo flute playing a cadenza
Describe what the flute plays in Episode 1
An upper auxiliary note (A-B-A) recalling ideas A1 and B of Ritornello 1. This interval is then widened to a perfect 4th which is the interval of a goldfinches song
What happens rhythmically in Episode 1?
It begins with the longest note value so far (a crotchet tied to dotted quaver) which then moves to the same rhythmic idea as idea B. There is then diminution into straight semiquavers and then demisemiquavers. The longest note returns with trills and octave leaps, ending the cadenza on an ascending demisemiquaver scale leading to four repeated quavers, ending on a fermata over a trilled minim
Describe Ritornello 2
It’s an abridged version of the first one, with idea B being omitted. It uses rhythmic displacement and ends on a perfect cadence on D
Describe Episode 2
The first half is a flute cadenza accompanied by violins. The second half is when the viola enters playing a bass line and the music gathers momentum
Describe the first half of Episode 2
It starts on four repeated staccato notes which gradually stretch from a 5th to an octave interval apart. You could see the repeated D’s as a continuous tonic pedal. The violins play a ‘bird-like chatter’ in 3rd’s underneath
Describe the second half of Episode 2?
The flute plays a three note upbeat into a broken chord figuration. The viola plays a bass line with tonic chords in the continuo offering the variety of a thinned out texture. The first violins play a dominant semiquaver inverted pedal. It modulates to Em (bar 32) and Bm (bar 36). The viola then has a lead into a set of sequences followed by idea E which is accompanied by violins in 3rd’s. The viola provides a steady bass line and the 1st violins add trills and the rest of the Episode is in Bm (relative minor)
Describe Ritornello 3
It uses idea A in Bm and follows with idea C, omitting idea B like Ritornello 2
Describe Episode 3
1) Chromatic idea followed by bird calls which are sequenced
2) Link passage (bars 65-68)
3) Birdsong cadenza over a dominant pedal
4) Broken chord figuration
5) Variations on the bird song idea
6) Transition passage based on idea A leading to the final ritornello
Describe Ritornello 4
Bar 96.1-96.2 = Bar 1.1-1.2 but with flute playing in unison rather than with the arpeggios of the opening
Bar 96.3-100 = Bar 9.3-13 with the final note converted into a semibreve
Notice that idea B makes a brief reinstatement for the first time since Ritornello 1
