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9 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Context
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This work was composed in 1788.
It is the first of four movements that form the whole symphony |
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Melody
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There are two main melodies in this work, called subjects; the First Subject and Second Subject.
They are contrasting, as they are expected to be according to the rules of Sonata Form. There is also a third transition or bridge melody. The melodies are developed in the middle part of this movement. |
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Harmony
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The harmony of this work is functional, which means it mainly revolves around chords V and I.
The harmony generally has a slow rate of change, often one chord per bar or slower. |
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Texture
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The work is mostly melody and accompaniment texture (also called melody led homophony).
It also explores homophony (in the Second Subject) and polyphony in the Development section |
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Instruments
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This is a standard Classical orchestra: violins (divided into 'first violin' and 'second violin' parts), violas, ‘cellos, double basses, 1 flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons and 2 french horns
Unusually, Mozart failed to include timpani, trumpets and a second flute |
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Tempo and Rhythm
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The music is allegro (‘fast and lively’)
Much of the music involves near constant quaver movement. The first subject starts with an anacrusis (…an ‘upbeat’). |
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Structure
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The movement is in Sonata Form
This involves three sections: exposition, development and recapitulation. Two melodies (called Subjects) are heard in the exposition in two different keys, explored and developed in the development and re-stated in the recapitulation. |
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Tonality
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The piece is in the key of G minor
The second subject though is first heard in the relative major key of B flat major The development section explores (i.e. modulates to) different related keys. In the final section (the recapitulation), both Subjects are heard in the tonic key of G minor |
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FEATURES OF MUSIC FROM THE CLASSICAL PERIOD:
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Melodies were often built on scales and arpeggios
Melodies were also mostly written in periodic phrasing, i.e. each phrase is the same length, and has similar rhythms and complimentary shapes. Harmony was mostly functional, i.e based on chords I and V; simple chords used just to establish a key. Structures were based on symmetry and balance The piano became a prominent instrument, and orchestras developed without the continuo in them, usually involving the traditional brass, woodwind, strings and percussion that we know today. The string quartet became a major form |
