Mozart: “Symphony No.

40
in G minor

Area of Study 1
 Sonata form
– a very basic overview

Exposition Development Recapitulation

Nice music which includes Composer gets creative Pretty much a repeat
two contrasting – subjects are played but performance of the first
melodies (subjects) in lots of different ways section – a welcome
return to the music at the
start.
Sonata Form – a basic overview
Exposition Recapitulation

1st 2nd Development 1st 2nd

subject subject subject subject
 Sonata form – an overview

Exposition (repeated) Recapitulation

1st Bridge 2nd Development 1st Bridge 2nd

Subject passage Subject Subject passage Subject

Tonic key Where the In a A repeat This This time

Composer develops the two
key change different from section , this
subjects in many different
(modulation) key before happens subject is
ways.
happens but no key also in
change the tonic
this time key
 Sonata in more Detail

Exposition Development Recapitulation

Two contrasting themes No new ideas Ideas from exposition
repeated
1st Subject: G minor Develop ideas mainly
from the 1st subject but Bridge passage
2nd Subject: Bb major also 2nd subject extended

Bridge Passage Exploration of different The coda is a further

keys not heard in development of the 3 note
exposition from the 1st subject
Codetta
Avoidance of tonic/ 2nd subject remains in
Section is repeated dominant keys tonic as piece needs to
end in tonic key
 The mood of the whole piece/ each section

 1st and 2nd subject have contrasting themes:

1st Subject:
The mood of the whole piece/ each section

2nd Subject
 The mood of the whole piece/ each section

 The development of the 1st subject

 The mood of the whole piece/ each section

 Fast tempo
 Serious and dramatic
 Exciting
 Dramatic G minor key
 1st subject being dominated by strings section
 2nd subject, pathètique mood - dialogue between
woodwind and strings
 The purpose of the exposition

 The main purpose of the exposition is to

expose the main themes

 The first theme: First subject

 Bridge Passage
 The second theme: Second subject
 Analysis
Section Sub Detail
section
Exposition 1st Subject •G minor •1st 3 notes repeated motif
(bars 1-28) •No introduction •Sequence
•1st idea bars 1-9 •Dominated by strings
•2nd idea bars 9-14
Bridge •Modulates to the relative •Woodwind provide harmonic
Passage major (Bb) filling in texture
(bars 28-43) •More chromatic •Horns enter
•Descending sequence from
strings
2nd Subject •Bb major •Mood – graceful pathetique –
(bars 44-72) •Theme shared by strings chromatic descent: grief &
and woodwind sadness
•Swap parts from bars 44-51 •1 bar sequences
& 52-58 •Chromatic passages
Codetta (72- •Modulates from Bb major to •Imitation (Clarinets and
100) G minor Bassoons)
•Based on 3 note motif •Canon between upper and
•Homophonic texture (bars lower strings (bars 73-88)
88-100)
Development Bars 101- •Based on 3 note motif in 1st •Woodwind provide chordal
164 subject harmonic support – thickens
•Chromatic harmony texture
•Constant exploration of
keys!
Section Sub Detail
section
Recapitulation 1st Subject (164-184) •G minor (exactly the same
as exposition)
Bridge Passage (184- •Still in tonic key •Bass counter-melody against
227) •Extended to 51 bars theme (bars 191-197)
•Structural balance to form & •Modulates to different keys but
extended ideas comes back to the tonic

2nd Subject (227-260) •Played in tonic key •1 bar sequences

•Like the exposition
Coda (261-299) •3 note motif passed •Imitation
between Woodwind •Homophonic texture
 Possible Questions
 In what century was this piece of music composed?
 What style is this piece of music written in?
 Comment on how Mozart uses the following musical elements
in No.40 in G minor:
 Instruments
 Melody
 Dynamics
 Tonality and Harmony
 Form and Structure
 Remember to use correct musical vocabulary where
appropriate
Mozart: “Symphony No. 40
in G minor

Area of Study 1