periods Beethovens Orchestra Beethoven created a bigger sound by adding more instruments to the Classical Orchestra The new instruments didnt all play in every single piece Beethoven just used them from time to time ID: 514533
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Beethoven's stylistic innovations bridge the Classical and Romantic
periodsSlide3Slide4Slide5Slide6
Beethoven’s Orchestra
Beethoven created a bigger sound by adding more instruments to the Classical Orchestra. The new instruments didn’t all play in every single piece. Beethoven just used them from time to time.Slide7
Beethoven’s Sound
The structures of Beethoven’s symphonies are Classical – they’re the same structures used by Mozart and Haydn. The music sounds very different though – the earlier Classical music sounds light and elegant but Beethoven’s is full of tension and drama.
He uses contrasting sections of the orchestra e.g. the brass playing against the strings
There are big variations in the dynamics
The rhythm drives the music forward
Beethoven’s orchestral works have powerful themes
The theme used in the 5
th
symphony is a great example…Slide8Slide9Slide10
Strings and clarinets in unison and then repeated one step lower
What musical devices does Beethoven use to construct Theme 1 from this 4 note motive?Slide11
The first theme grows from overlapping presentations of the motive, by the second violins, violas and first violins in turn. This opening section ends with a strong cadence on the dominant and a general pause. Slide12
BRIDGE
The opening motive is stated by the entire orchestra in unison. The motive is heard first in descending, then in ascending forms, leading to a dramatic climax. Rapid descending arpeggios follow; these serve as a Bridge that brings about a modulation to the key of
Eb
major, the relative major. The modulation is completed by 2 chords with pausesThe horns then present an introductory fanfare that is a variation of the original motive in the new key of Eb
major Slide13Slide14
The phrase is played in turn by violins, clarinet and flute with violin after which is extended by a rising sequence in the violins. At the same time the rhythm of the basic motive continues to assert itself in the lower strings a s climax in pitch and dynamics is reached. At the peak of the climax, a strong closing theme emerges, starting with a descending scale then becoming more
disjunct
, in the violins Slide15Slide16
The development illustrates one of Beethoven’s characteristic procedures – the breaking up of a theme almost to the point of its complete demolition Slide17Slide18Slide19Slide20Slide21
Movement I
What developments did Beethoven make to his predecessors? What changes did he make that were unusual, unique at the time?
Why did Beethoven choose the key of C minor?
How is the second theme related to the first theme but also how is it contrasting?
What ways does Beethoven develop his first and second subject in the
developmental section?
What musical devices does he use?
What is a cadenza? Why its placement in the piece unusual
How is the Coda section in the first movement unique?