Theme

1
Theme variations
Structure (organization) of a single movement
Theme Var 1 Var 2 Var 3 Var 4. Var
? A A A A A .. A?
2
Theme and Variations example by Haydn
Th
Var 1
Var 2
Var 3
Var 4
Coda
A A A A A a a b b
a a b b a a b aabb a b
Pieces of theme
Whatchanges?
Whatchanges?
Whatsoloinst? Whatchanges?
Dynamic?Insts?
Identical?
Identical?
Short transitions
Unity theme is always recognizable themes
formal structure remains constant
Contrast theme can undergo some
change dynamics, style, major-minor, rhythm,
added material (countermelodies)
3
Theme and Variations example by Haydn
Th
Var 1
Var 2
Var 3
Var 4
Coda
A A A A A a a b b
a a b b a a b aabb a b
Pieces of theme
Whatchanges? 1. Dynamic 2. Addition
Whatchanges? 1. Dynamic 2. Key
Whatsoloinst? Whatchanges? 1. Tone color 2.
Rhythm

• What changes?
• Dynamic
• Tone color
• 3. b melody change

a repetition What changes?
b repetition What changes?
Short transitions
This is all in the book, but you must be able to
hear it. PRACTICE LISTENING!
4
LOG

• Haydn
• Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Mvt. 2
• Symphony movement
• I Theme and variations

CD 2Tks 32-37
5
YOU NEED TO

• Know structure
• Know elements of unity and contrast
• Know (memorize) themes
• Track formal components
• Identify development procedures

6
Minuet and Trio Form example by Mozart
Minuet Trio Minuet a a b a b a c c d c d c
a b a Tonic key Dominant key Tonic
key Style? Style? Dynamic level? Dynamic
level? Energy level? Energy level?
Unity Contrast repetition of minuet trio
section key change, style, dynamic
CD2 Tks 38-40
7
LOG

• Mozart
• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mvt. 3
• minuet from a serenade
• I minuet and trio

CD2 Tks 38-40
8
What do these RONDO forms have in common?

• A B A B A
• A B A C A B A
• A B A C A

9
Rondo Form example by Beethoven
A B A C A
B A Coda aababa ccdcdc
aababa eeff
dev
Unity ? Contrast ?
CD2 Tks 41-44
10
Rondo Form example by Beethoven
A B A C
A B A aababa
Unity ? Contrast ?
11
Rondo Form example by Beethoven
A (This section is constructed as a series of
question and answer phrases.) a a b a b a
Q u e s t i o n
Q u e s t i o n
Q u e s t i o n
A n s w e r
A n s w e r
A n s w e r
CD2 Tk 41
12
Rondo Form example by Beethoven
A B A C A
B A Coda aababa ccdcdc
aababa eeff Rhythm ? ? ? Major ? ?
? Minor ? ? ? Style ? ?
? Energy ? ? ?
dev
Listen to the upward scales. What texture does
Beethovensimulate?
Unity ? Contrast ?
Click the record, listen, track theform,
describe points of contrastbetween the A, B, and
C sections.
CD2 Tks 41-44
13
LOG

• Beethoven
• String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4, Mvt. 4
• String Quartet movement
• I rondo

What is a string quartet? What is the meaning of
Op. (opus)?
CD2 Tks 41-44
14
YOU NEED TO

• Know structures
• Know elements of unity and contrast
• Track formal components

15
Classical LOG Check

• MozartSonata form
• HaydnTheme and Variations
• MozartMinuet and Trio
• Beethoven--Rondo