The Classical Era: 1750-1830W.A. Mozart 1st Movement from Symphony No.40 in G Minor (1788)

Key WordsSonata form -three sections exposition, development, recapitulationAugmentation - doubling (or more) of the original note valuesChromatically - moving up or down by semitonePathetique - literally 'pathetic', refers to melancholy moodSemitone - half a tone

Written in Sonata Form

Act 1 - Exposition - initial ideas are introduced to the audience

Act 2 - Development - the ideas are developed, piece becomes more dramatic

Act 3 - Recapitulation - the first ideas are revisited

Sonata form

Most of the musical ideas come from two contrasting themes heard in the exposition.

In the exposition the material is 'exposed', presented for the first time. There are two main melodies known as the known as the first and second subject.

The first subject is in the tonic key.

The second subject is in a different key, usually the dominant or the relative minor, and has a different character.

The two subjects are connected by a transition or bridge passage.

In the development section the material from the exposition is transformed. The music goes through several modulations (key changes).

In the recapitulation the material from the exposition is repeated (recapped) in a slightly different and shorter form. The first and second subject are now both heard in the tonic key.

Features of classicalPeriodic or regular phrasingMelody dominated textureMusical structure has a balanceStructure defined by clear-cut key schemes with regular cadencesChords used for structural purposesMore varied dynamics, melodies, and keyHarpsichord redundant

It has the standard four movements and is scored for:woodwind – flute, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons

•

brass – two horns•strings - 1st violins, 2nd violins, cellos and double basses

•

ExpositionThe symphony opens with the first subject played on violins accompanied by the violas, cellos and double basses.

First subject

Look at the first subject. Notice the:tempo marking – molto allegro (very fast)•4/4 time signature•key signature of G minor (two flats)•melody starting on the fourth beat, a weak beat of the bar – this is known as an anacrusis

•

shape of the melody and its use of two quavers followed by a crotchet - a falling semitone motive (or motif)

•

question and answer phrasing – a four-bar phrase answered by another four-bar phrase

•

dark intense mood•Second subject

Look at the second subject. Notice the way that it contrasts with the first subject. The

second subject:

is in a different key – B flat major – this also has two flats and is known as the relative

major

•

mainly uses longer note values•starts on the first beat of the bar •has a melody shared between strings and woodwind (clarinets and bassoons)•has a more lyrical and relaxed mood•Like the first subject it uses:

semitones•falling phrases•

DevelopmentIn the sonata form the exposition that began the first movement is followed

by the development. Several different techniques are used in this section to

transform the material of the exposition. These include:

altered melodies•rapid modulations from one key to the next

•

contrapuntal textures•use of imitation•much use of the falling semitone motive

•

Imitation is where a melody in one part is repeated a few notes later in a

different part overlapping the melody in the first part.

RecapitualtionThe recapitulation follows the development. Here the material from the exposition is repeated in a slightly different and shorter form. The recapitulation returns to the tonic key of G minor and opens with the first subject.

The second subject is now also heard in G minor.The movement ends with a coda. The final bars close the movement with repeated perfect cadences played by full orchestra (tutti).A coda is a short section which comes at the end of a movement.

Music GCSE notes

Classical Page 1