The elements of music to consider
Melody
Melodies can be created by using different features which can affect such things as to how it moves and how it is articulated. Symphony No.101 includes:
- a main melody first played by violin 1 from bar 2
- the main theme is eight bars in length and features two complimentary phrases, each four bars long
- Movement 2 is mainly conjunctA melody that moves by step.
- acciaccaturaNote played as quickly as possible before the聽note that follows. are a feature
- a new melodic idea is introduced at bar 52
Tempo, rhythm and metre
Remember to consider:
- the tempo is markedandanteAt a walking pace.
- the piece is in 2/4 = simple duple time signature
- dotted and double dotted rhythms and demisemiquavers feature
- alternating staccato quavers represent the 鈥榯ick-tock鈥 of the clock
- offbeat semiquaver rhythm accompaniment from bar 42 played by the oboe and bassoon parts
- semiquaver sextuplets give the music a swaying sound like a pendulum
Structure
Haydn has written the symphony with the following theory:
- in ternary formA musical form in which the opening section returns after a central contrasting section. overall
- different themes (A and B) are developed within this structure
| Section | Bars | Key |
| A1 | 1-35 | Mainly G major |
| B | 36-64 | Mainly G minor and B鈾 major |
| A2 | 65-152 | Mainly G major |
| Section | A1 |
|---|---|
| Bars | 1-35 |
| Key | Mainly G major |
| Section | B |
|---|---|
| Bars | 36-64 |
| Key | Mainly G minor and B鈾 major |
| Section | A2 |
|---|---|
| Bars | 65-152 |
| Key | Mainly G major |
Harmony and tonality
These two elements can have an affect on the mood that a piece of music creates.
- Clear cadential progressions.
- Mostly perfect cadenceA type of cadence where the chords played are chord V then I. This progression sounds complete. and imperfect cadenceA type of cadence where the chords played are chord I then V. The sound of this cadence makes the phrase sound unfinished.
- Use of V7 chords.
- A dominant pedal on D played by oboe in bar 7.
- Section A1 is rooted in G major, Section B is in G minor and ends in D major and section A2 returns to G major.
Texture
The main techniques used by Haydn are:
- Melody and accompaniment is the most common texture.
- monophonicA texture consisting of a solo musical line. and unison episodes, as heard in bars 63 and 64.
- The final three chords are an example of homophonicA texture where lines of music move together by step, often sounding together to form block chords. texture.
- antiphonal A melody performed by two distinctly separate groups at separate times. writing between the first violin and second violin and viola.
Dynamics and articulation
Bear in mind that:
- Section A:
- theme A is played at a piano level
- theme B alternates between piano and forte every half bar
- section B is played at a constant fortissimo
- section A2 begins and ends with pianissimo
- use of staccatos, slurs and bowings, accents
Instrumentation
The points to consider are:
- the symphony is written for a classical orchestra: two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two French horns, two trumpets, two timpani and strings
- the transposing instruments are the clarinet and French horn
- features the string instrument technique pizzicato
- tick-tock theme played by bassoon, violin 2, cello and double bass at the start