The Symphony

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The Symphony

• Classical Symphonic Form

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Symphony

• Definition
• A LARGE multi-movement work for Orchestra
• A genre brought to its height in the classical
  era
• The Classical Symphony normally consists of four
  movements and follows the four movement plan

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The Four Movement Plan

• Form
• Sonata Form
• Various forms (Sonata, variation)
• Minuet Trio
• (Scherzo Trio)
• Sonata or Rondo

• Tempo
• Moderate to fast
• Slow to very slow
• Moderate
• Fast to very fast

Character Complex, Substantial,
Impressive Lyrical, songlike Dance-like,
Always in Triple Metre Often light tuneful,
brilliant
I II III IV
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Sonata Form

• The most important new form developed in the
  Classical era
• Used in the first movement of most Symphonies,
  quartets, trios, piano sonatas, even opera
  overtures.
• Often found in other movements of the above
  genres as well
• Developed with thematic contrasts, and contrasts
  of key, and sometimes major and minor modes.

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Main Sections of Sonata Form

• Exposition
• exposes the two main contrasting themes
  (contrasted by character, and by key).
• The exposition is usually played two times
• Development
• Interacts the two themes in a more heightened
  fashion, developing them with frequent
  modulation (changes of key).
• Recapitulation (re again, cap head)
• restates the main these in the same order as in
  the exposition, but this time all themes are
  stated in the HOME KEY.
• conflicts of theme and key are resolved.
• The entire form can be described as Statement
  Conflict Return (resolution).

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The Exposition

• Inner structure of the Exposition of Sonata Form
• Theme 1
• First theme to be heard in the symphony
• Bridge
• A transition passage where there will be a
  modulation to a relative key setting up the
  second theme
• Theme 2
• second theme CONTRASTING to the first theme
  usually more lyrical.
• Codetta
• Closing section of the Exposition leading to a
  cadence in the new key

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The Development

• Second Main Section of Sonata Form
• Can be quite short (early symphonies) later
  becomes more intense (Beethoven)
• Takes all the themes presented in the Exposition,
  and plays around with them through sequences
  modulations and variation
• Creates conflicts, and resolutions action
  packed

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Recapitulation

• Restates the themes from the exposition in the
  same order
• One BIG difference the Bridge, or transition
  theme DOES NOT modulate (it stays in the home
  key)
• Allows for a resolution of the movement ending
  in the home key
• See P. 181 for a diagram of Sonata Form

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Optional Parts included in Sonata form

• Introduction
• Introductions are usually much slower than the
  rest of the movement
• Coda
• Codas close the movement, they may add new
  thematic material.

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Other Classical Forms used in Symphonies

• Minuet and Trio
• The Third Movement of most early Classical
  Symphonies (up to the time of Beethoven)
• Divided into three sections (A B A)
• Minuet (A) Trio (B) Minuet (A)
• (a b a) (c d c) (a b a)
• Smaller letters indicate the inner form

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Minuet and Trio

• Minuet
• Melody Staccato and disjunct (many leaps)
• Triple Metre
• Moderate Tempo
• The main beat is emphasized
• Mostly Loud dynamics
• Major mode
• Homophonic texture
• Full orchestra

• Trio
• Melody Legato and Conjunct (moves by steps)
• Triple Metre
• Moderate Tempo
• Shorter note values, not as emphasized
• Mostly soft dynamics
• Major mode
• Homophonic texture
• Smaller portion of orchestra

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Rondo From

• Similar to ritornello form of the baroque in
  which there is a returning theme
• Two types in Classical Era
• Short Rondo A B A C A (coda)
• Long Rondo A B A C A B A (coda)

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Variation Form

• Can be found in second movements or last
  movements of the 4 movement plan
• One theme is stated, and then subsequent sections
  are variations on that theme
• A A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 (coda)

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Midterm information Now Available

• www.ualberta.ca/jbrough/music101
• Webnotes also updated
• lecture on 18th century choral music has be
  REMOVED