Analysis Of Symphony No. 40

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Throughout this Music History course we studied a wide variety of music ranging from 12th century Gregorian chant all the way to modern day pop music. In addition to the structure of each piece we studied, we also examined the historical context surrounding each piece in comparison to other time periods. For instance, when we studied the classical period we discussed the similarities and differences between the classical period and the Baroque era. In order to apply my understanding of the material we learned in class, I attended two distinctly different concerts. The concerts I chose to attend were the performance held by the Bronx Arts Ensemble String Quartet in Fordham University’s church, and an informal jazz concert held at Lincoln Center. …show more content…
Symphony no.40 contains an exposition, a development, and a recapitulation. The exposition of a sonata form is a large section of music that introduces the basic material of the movement. This section usually includes the first theme, the second theme, and the cadence theme. In Symphony no.40, the exposition introduces the main theme of the entire piece. In this exposition, the first theme is repeated several times, and then the second theme is introduced shortly after the first theme. The next section is the development, in which the various themes are developed, or expanded. The development of Symphony no. 40 includes the addition of several new chords, and the repetition of the first theme. This section also includes several sudden outbursts. The final section is the recapitulation. The recapitulation of a sonata form repeats the first theme, the second theme, and the cadence, but with a few changes. In Symphony no.40, Mozart provides a repetition of the first theme, but the tone switches from major mode to a minor mode. The piece ends with Mozart referring back to the first and second themes. The Bronx Arts Ensemble performed the four movements of Robert Schumann’s String Quartet no.3. The first movement of Robert Schumann’s String Quartet no.3 is called the Andante Espressivo- Allegro molto moderato. Similar to the 1st movement of Mozart’s Divertimento in D major, this movement is in sonata form. This movement has a minor mode

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