Symmetrical rondo form: ABACABA. Each section is 8 bars long. B is 4 bars repeated. A section is called the refrain, while the other sections, B: bars 9-12 and repeated: bars 37-40, and C: bars 21-28 are called episodes.
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Do the episodes contrast from the refrain
Yes, vividly: Schneller (faster): bars 9 and 37.
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What is the tonality?
Key wavers between E minor and G major. The chromatic lower parts blur any sense of key. E minor: initial I-Vb progression at the start of the piece. G major: established bar 3-4, continuing to imperfect cadence: bar 8.
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What is the tonality of the refrain?
Two smoothing 4-bar phrases in G major. Both start with chromatic harmony that disguises the key and both end with clear imperfect cadences in G.
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What is the tonality of the episodes?
Schneller (faster) section: starts in E minor which is confirmed by the cadence in bar 9. 2 bars in E minor are repeated in sequence a third lower (c major) but ends of an ambiguous 2nd inversion chord of E minor. No tonal centre in C: chromaticism.
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Discuss the harmony
Chromatic harmony: opening 2 bars, including parallel diminished chords: bar 2. The rhythmic placing of cadences every 4 bars seems mechanical, yet the appear in varied forms. Imperfect cadences are frequent.
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What happens when there is a rare perfect cadence?
The tonic chord is placed on a weaker bear than the dominant: bars 24 and 48.
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What is the metre?
2/4
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Discuss the rhythm
Each episode has its own characteristic rhythm: Semiquavers in pairs: B and Semiquavers in groups of 4: C. Dotted rhythms: push music forward. Off-beat rhythms in accompaniment od B and aggressively on alternate quavers: C.
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Describe the textures
Basic 3 or 4 part texture which is adapted to the expressive needs of movement. Opening melody: supported by lower 2 parts in descending 3rds. Melody dominated homophony: bars 25-28, uses a stride-like accompaniment reminiscient of No 3.
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Is there any 4 part harmony?
Yes, in bar 3, involving some rhythmic independence between component lines. The opening texture is then inverted: bar 5, with the tune in the lowest part whilst the accomp is in RH.
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What is the texture of B?
Bass tune with short off-beat chords accompanying above
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What is the texture of C?
Contrasting, alternating rapid semiquaver movement in 6ths, single bass notes and full 5 or 6 part chords.
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Describe the melody
Mostly diatonic, apart from chromaticism in bar 2 of section A. B Section: disjunct bass melody with octave leaps in sequence. 2nd half of C: bars 25-28, 2 bar phrase with semitone movement which spans a diminished 4th and is in sequence.
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Is there any idiomatic piano writing?
Yes, use of bass melody with RH accomp: bars 5-6 and 9-12, and sudden contrast of dynamics and off-beat accents: bars 21-24.
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