MozartSymphony No 40 in G minor

The essay question - melody

Well proportioned/balanced melody lines

Regular 4 bar phrases

Contrasting melodies in the first and second subject

Motif of the first subject is developed in the middle section (the development section)

Essay question – harmony/tonality

Harmony is diatonic (of the key)

First subject is in G minor

Second subject is in B flat major

The second subject in the recapitulation is in the tonic key of G minor

Perfect cadences used to define the keys

Diminished 7ths used

Essay question - TextureThe main texture is homophonic

Oboes and bassoons provide harmonic filling

Some parts are doubled

Some parts are in octaves

There is dialogue between strings and woodwind

Essay question - StructureThe piece is in sonata form

Exposition, development and recapitulation

There are 2 contrasting themes/subjects

There is a bridge section between the 1st and 2nd theme (for modulation)

Ends with a coda

Essay question - Instruments

Classical orchestra

Strings – violins, violas, cellos and double basses

7 woodwind – 1 flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets and 2 bassoons

Brass – only 2 horns

No trumpets or timpani

Mozart - BackgroundMozart was a composer from the classical era

1750 - 1830

Mozart was born in Austria in 1756

He died at the age of 35

A symphony is a large scale work usually in 4 movements

They can last over an hour

We are studying the 1st movement Molto Allegro (very fast)

Sonata formThere are three sections

1 expositionThis is where the themes are exposed (subject 1 in

g minor and 2 in B flat major)2 development

This is where the 1st subject gets developed Uses lots of key changes and build excitement

3 recapitulationThis is were the 1st and second subject come back

but both in g minor

Test

The essay question - melody

Write 4 comments about melody

Essay question – harmony/tonality

Comment on the tonality/harmony used in this piece

Essay question - TextureComment on the texture of this piece

Essay question - StructureComment on the structure of this piece

Essay question - Instruments

Comment on the instrumentation of this piece

Mozart - BackgroundMozart was a composer from which era? What

were the dates?

When and where was Mozart born?

What is symphony?

They can last over an hour

What does molto allegro mean?

Sonata formWhat are the 3 sections and what happens in

each one?