AOS2 Peripetie - Shoenberg - 1909

Metre

3/4 simple triple, but with some 4/4 at end and 1 bar of 2/4

Rhythm

• Unpredictable
• Complex
• Extensive use of triplets and sextuplets

Tempo

• Some rubart, starts fast
• Mainly sehr rasch - very fast
• Use of ruhiger (calmer) and heftig (passionate)

Dynamics

• Sudden changes
• Starts loud and gets louder
• Full dynamic range used - extremes
• Lots of cresc. and dim.
• Builds up to very loud at end before final quiet notes - a hexachord

Accompaniment/Instrumentation

• Klangfarbenmelodie - trumpets muted for tonal effect
• Large orchestra playing in unusual registers

Texture

• Polyphonic with one bar of monophony
• Alternates between a full orchestra and more sparse solo passages

Harmony and Tonality

Atonal with dissonance

Melody

• Octave jumps
• Angular
• Hexachords and compliments
• Haupstimme and nebenstimme - principle voice snakes through the orchestra

Form/Structure

• Free rondo
• Short piece
• Alternates between bust and sparse