AQA A Level Music: Vivaldi Flute Concerto in D major, mvt 3

What features of the first movement are also heard in the third movement of this concerto?

Trills, repeated pitches, rising 4ths, dotted rhythms, strings in octaves in ritornello sections, textural variety in episodes, clear tonal structure, use of ritornello structure.

What structure does this movement use?

Ritornello form

The opening ritornello is based on two motifs. Describe each of these.

motif A = tonic note, rest, then descending quavers

motif B = rising triadic figure in quavers

Describe the texture of the theme in the opening ritornello, as well as the texture that is created when it is answered by the flute and first violins.

Parallel octave texture and antiphonal texture

The solo flute and first violins present a new melodic motif in the opening ritornello. Describe this motif.

motif C = rising three note motif in parallel thirds, ending with a trill

In the first movement, the flute had the first episode entirely to itself, and tended to have a much more independent role throughout. How is this movement different?

The first violins join the flute in the episodes.

Describe the texture of this movement, and comment on how the violin and flute work together.

Trio sonata type, three-part texture. It is also a polarised texture with the violin and flute often in thirds, high above the bass part.

The melodic material in the first episode is a modified version of motif C. How has it been modified?

Rhythmically augmented with an emphasis on the second beat (highlighted by trills).

What happens when the opening phrase is repeated in the first episode?

Echo effect with softer dynamics

What key is the movement in?

D major

Which key does the music modulate to in the first episode?

A major (dominant)

Name a melodic device used in the first episode

Ascending sequence

The first episode uses ideas borrowed from the first movement. Can you identify what these influences are?

Motif a in violins (alternating between two adjacent pitches)

Motif B in the flutes (use of repeated notes)

Describe the opening texture of the second ritornello.

Octaves, with all instruments (including the soloist) performing.

How is the opening motif treated differently from the first ritornello in the second ritornello?

After the descending scale we have a steep rising triadic melodic shape and the dominant repeat of the opening motif occurs earlier than in the first ritornello. It is an abridged version of the opening motif.

Describe the melodic/harmonic device heard in the second ritornello.

Descending sequence of 7-6 suspensions

How could you describe the structure of the second ritornello?

Ternary form

How is a "lighter" feel initially achieved in this movement?

Soft dynamics and upper four part only (no bass).

Describe the harmonic device played by the first violins in the second episode

inner dominant pedal

Describe the melodic shape of the flute solo in the opening bars of the second episode.

Triadic

How are motif B and motif D transformed in the second episode?

They are inverted.

Describe a melodic device used in the second episode

Ascending sequence

The violins occasionally play in...

3rds

What does "tasto solo" mean?

Harpsichord player does not add the upper harmonies (bass line only)

The last 6 bars of the second episode are a modulatory passage. What key does this section finish in and how does it relate to the opening tonality of the piece?

B minor (relative minor) via a diminished 7th

Describe what happens at the cadence point at the end of the second episode

A perfect cadence with a trill and a 4-3 suspension

What key is the third ritornello in?

B minor, relative minor key

How long is the third ritornello?

Only 5 bars long

How is motif B played in the third ritornello?

Bare 5ths

Describe the cadence in the third ritornello

Perfect 4-3 cadence without a trill

What key does the final bar of the third ritornello take us back to?

D major (the tonic)

Whilst there is a hint of the dominant key coming through in the third episode, how does Vivaldi reinforce that we are firmly back in the tonic key of D?

10 repetitions of a D chord

43. What does "cadenza ad. lib. mean and why does Vivaldi write this?

An opportunity for the flute to give one final unaccompanied solo before the final ritornello

What key is the final (fourth) ritornello in?

D major (the home key)

How is the triadic idea developed in the final (fourth) ritornello?

Extended, leading up to the final cadence