Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 in A major

What is the tonic key of the entire symphony?

A major

What is the time signature of the first movement?

6/8 which is compound duple time

What does compound time mean?

It refers to each beat being divided into 3

What does duple time mean?

Rhythm based on two main beats in a bar

What does oscillating refer to in music?

Pitch moving back and forth

eg: A - C# - A, A - C# - A again in mvt 1 bars 2-4) —> (motif)

Define tonicisation

Treating a non-tonic chord or pitch as if it was the tonic

Eg: (tonicisation of E in bar 17 in mvt 1)

Define fanfare

A loud and short piece of music played by brass instruments

Define sequencing

A passage of music is repeated at a higher or lower pitch

Define antiphonal

• (‘musical tennis’)

• A type of texture where two or more groups of voices or instruments alternate between each other

(Eg: the start of transition in mvt 1, bar 66-73 has antiphonal texture)

Which bar does the second subject start in mvt 1?

Bar 92

What key is the second subject of mvt 1?

E major - (the dominant of A)

Define Tutti

Entire orchestra plays

In bars 132 in mvt 1, what does the leading 7th note (A note in B major) do?

The leading 7th note builds tension

Define augmentation

Lengthening the duration of notes of a motif or series of notes

Define pedal note

A note that is held or repeated (typically in the bass) while the harmony changes around it

Which bar is where the first development starts in mvt 1?

Bar 210

Define monophonic

A type of texture with a single melody line

Define fugatto style. Which bars does this occur in? How is that created?

Fugatto style refers to elements of a fugue that is in a non-fugal composition

(Eg: bars 231 - 240 - fragments of the theme imitated)

Define stretto. How is that created in bar 249?

• means ‘stress’

• created by bringing fragments of themes closer and closer together

Define neapolitan 6th

A flattened supertonic in the first inversion

What can a dominant pedal note serve as a preparation for?

The tonic or a tonicisation eg: F# pedal note to prepare for B minor

What does Mendelssohn do to make his Sonata in mvt 1, funkier, weirder and to be a silly billy in order to proceed with his devious plans?

Add a FALSE reprise / FALSE recapitulation in bars 285 - 296 (in C major… C MAJOR?!)

Which bar is the second development section?

Bar 297

Which bars are when themes are on top of each other?

Bars 317 - 327