Mozart- Symphony no. 40 in G Minor- 1788

Timbre:

Chamber Orchestra

No percussion

Only French Horns in the brass section

Texture:

Mostly homophonic

Melody with an accompaniment but with counterpoint/imitation in the development section.

Octaves doubling and dialogue between the woodwind and strings in the 2nd section.

Tempo:

Molto Allegro

Metre/Rhythm:

Simple quadruple time (4/4)

Anacrusis, short rhythmic pattern repeated for unity.

Structure:

Sonata Form- Exposition (2 sections), Development and recapitulation (2 sections, coda and perfect cadence.)

Melody:

Unison

Question and answer phrases.

Harmony:

Simple and clear. Development- Chromatic harmonies are used.

Diatonic and functional harmony.

Circle of 5th's and pedal notes used.

Tonality:

Starts in G Minor. 2nd section in relative major.

Development explores different keys

Recap is all in G Minor.

Dynamics:

Begins Piano- Unusual for a Classical Symphony

Transition- Loud with sfz in 2nd subject, quiet then crescendo.

Development- Quiet, loud, quiet

Recap- Similar to start mostly immediate dynamics.