Beethoven, Eroica, Piano Sonatas, Goethe, Intro to Romantic.

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Questions and Answers

What feature of the Eroica MVT 1 Development sets it apart from traditional development sections?

It introduces new melodies.

It uses syncopation to a greater extent than the exposition. (correct)

It is written in 2/4 time.

It is shorter than usual.

What is the typical structure of a four-movement piano sonata?

Fast-slow-minuet-finale (correct)

Fast-slow-minuet-fast

Fast-slow-minuet-rondo

What is the function of a cadenza in a concerto movement?

To introduce a new theme.

To showcase the orchestra's technical skills.

To display the soloist's technical virtuosity. (correct)

To conclude the movement with a dramatic flourish.

What is the poetic structure of the song 'Heidenröslein'?

Strophic with identical music for each stanza. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the Eroica MVT 1 Recapitulation?

It features a long coda. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a trio sonata and a solo sonata?

The presence or absence of a melody instrument. Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the third movement of the Eroica Symphony?

Scherzo. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the piano introduction in 'Der Tod und das Mädchen'?

It features Death's motives. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical tempo of the second movement in a Classic Symphony?

Slow Signup and view all the answers

Which form combines elements of A B A and rounded binary forms?

Minuet and Trio Signup and view all the answers

How does the trio typically end in a Classic Symphony?

With a 'Minuet da capo' Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Romantic era in music history?

Asymmetry, strangeness, and introspection Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Beethoven's rhythm?

Syncopation and rhythmic surprises Signup and view all the answers

How does Beethoven often transform the minuet?

By turning it into a scherzo Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Beethoven's form?

Expansion of transition and development sections Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature of the first theme in Beethoven's Eroica MVT 1 Exposition?

A triad played one note at a time, trailing off Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Movement in the Classic Symphony and String Quartet

A classic symphony typically consists of four movements: Fast, Slow, Minuet and Trio, and Fast.
The first movement often follows the Sonata-Allegro form.
The second movement is slow and can take various forms such as Sonata-Allegro, ABA, or Theme and Variations.
The third movement is a Minuet and Trio, combining ABA and rounded binary forms.
The fourth movement is fast and often follows the Sonata-Allegro or Rondo form.

Symphony MVT 3: Minuet and Trio

The Minuet and Trio combines ABA and rounded binary forms.
The overall structure is ABA (Minuet-Trio-Minuet).
The Minuet and Trio themselves are rounded binary forms.
The Trio ends with a "Minuet da capo", where the Minuet is played again.
In the 18th century, repeats might have been played in the Minuet da capo, but not today.

Romantic Era in Music History

Beethoven is sometimes classified as a Classical or Romantic composer, bridging the two eras.
His late works are highly experimental.

Romantic vs. Classic Periods

Classic period: balance, clarity, straightforwardness, and universal passions.
Romantic period: asymmetry, strangeness, introspection, distortion, and personal suffering.

Beethoven's Musical Characteristics

Rhythm: syncopation, rhythmic surprises, distortion of typical tempos, and rhythmic themes.
Form: expansion of transition and development sections, lengthening of works.
Harmony: excursions to distant keys, delayed cadences, and key confusion.

Beethoven Eroica MVT 1 Exposition

First theme: a triad played one note at a time, trailing off and left incomplete.
Triple meter and development-type writing immediately follow the theme.
There are two transitions, and syncopation is used.

Beethoven Eroica MVT 1 Key Area 2

Gentle motive with many repeated notes.
Winds and strings contrast, ending with syncopation and dynamics.
Syncopation continues, making it seem like the meter has changed to 2/4.

Beethoven Eroica MVT 1 Development

Uses all themes, including those from the transition sections, sometimes simultaneously.
Syncopation is taken to extremes, and a new melody is introduced.

Beethoven Eroica MVT 1 Recapitulation

First key area material is altered.
A long coda is added to balance the development.

Beethoven Eroica MVT 3

Introduction: titled "Scherzo", meaning joke.
Tempo is too fast for a minuet.
Syncopation is used frequently, and the form is rounded binary but highly unbalanced.
There is a "Scherzo da capo" with alterations, including a joke near the end.

Piano Sonata

The trio sonata disappeared after the Baroque period, leaving solo sonatas.
There are two types: melody instrument with piano accompaniment, or piano alone (becoming increasingly popular).
Typically, a piano sonata has 3 or 4 movements, similar to symphony forms without the minuet.

Cadenza

A passage near the end of a concerto movement where the orchestra stops, and the soloist continues alone, showcasing technical and musical skills.
In the Classical period, cadenzas were improvised.
From the Romantic period onwards, composers wrote out the cadenzas with free rhythms, like an improvisation.

Heidenröslein and Der Tod und das Mädchen

Heidenröslein: strophic form with identical music for each stanza, and simple accompaniment; the text is by Goethe.
Der Tod und das Mädchen: Death is represented by slow tempo and a single pitch, while the Maiden's words are agitated; the piano introduction foreshadows Death's motives.

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