Eduqas A-Level Music: Theme Development of Symphony AoS A

Pre-Classical Period

• Galant melodies featured short phrases, often repeated with simple accompaniment and transparent harmonies with frequent cadences.
• Sammartini pioneered defined first and second subjects and introduced lyricism into second subject themes.
• Stamitz firmly established the sections of sonata form, with bold and vigorous first themes and contrasting second themes.
• Stamitz developed themes using innovative melodic devices, such as the 'Mannheim Roller' and the 'Mannheim Sigh'.

Emfindsamer Stil

• Composers like CPE Bach wrote in this style, seeking a singing, expressive style without excessive ornamental embellishments.
• This style featured the use of appoggiatura, melodic chromaticism, and 'sigh' figures.

Classical Period (excluding Haydn 104)

• Early Haydn's harmony was largely diatonic, with a focus on short, periodic, articulated phrases punctuated with clear cadences.
• Symmetry and balance are evident in Haydn's music, not only from phrase to phrase but also within the phrases themselves.
• Inconsistency of thematic development was a feature of Haydn's symphonies.

Haydn Symphony No. 104

• The first movement features a range of harmonies, including:
  • 7th chords (e.g., e minor 7 in bar 44)
  • Dominant pedals (e.g., bars 57–64 and 185–192)
  • Tonic pedals (e.g., bars 32–39 and 99–103)
  • Suspensions (e.g., bars 20–22)
  • Appoggiaturas (e.g., bar 3, first note of violin 1)
  • Diminished triads (e.g., bar 9)
  • Chromatic harmonies (e.g., bars 12–13)
  • Neapolitan chords (e.g., bar 15, beat 4)
  • Augmented 6th chords (e.g., bar 172)
• The second movement is in G major, with modulations to G minor, B major, and other closely related keys.
• The third movement (Minuet) is in D major, with the Trio in Bb major, featuring strong use of I and V7 and the use of German 6th chord.
• The fourth movement is in D major, with modulation to the dominant for the second subject, featuring typical Classical harmony, chromatic chords, and strong cadences.

Beethoven

• Beethoven's 1st period (Symphonies 1 & 2) adhered formulaically to established conventions of the time.
• However, even in his first symphony, Beethoven showed departures from established Classical conventions, such as the unusual C7 opening chord in the key of C major.

Explore the development of melody in pre-Classical music with a focus on Galant melodies and the contributions of Sammartini. Learn about short phrases, simple accompaniments, transparent harmonies, and motivic repetition.