percussion and strings

Stamitz Op.3 No.2

• Violins lead the melody, whilst violas and cellos/basses support rhythmically and harmonically 

• Although in movement 2 Violins play melody but taken over by oboe reducing strings to accompanying role

• The mannheim rocket and crescendo is used as a powerful full string technique

• String section only around 12 violins total and about 12 for all lower strings

• Currently the only percussion used around the time and in this piece is the timpani which supports harmonically and rhythmically with tonic and dominant emphasis- it is only used occasionally like in the main theme (intro) and to highlight contrast of new sections

CPE Bach E minor

• Strings carries bulk of music

• Violins are aggressive with sudden leaps and jagged rhythms for instance  In bar 1–4 of mvt 1 the strings don’t enter together there’s staggered phrasing

• Violas and cellos used more independently by echoing ot contrasting the upper strings

•  Timpani is used in restraint, it doubles bass lines and reinforces harmonic changes. Its purpose is to highlight structural moments.

Haydn 26

• String section is more cohesive and moves in blocks

• Developed motif writing for strings, passed around string groups, e.g first violins state opening motif then lower strings echo 

• Increased contrapuntal moments between violins and lower strings shows increased sophistication

• Bolder use of timpani used especially in tutti sections

Mozart No.40:

• Very strong intensity with restless signing figure in violin

• Strings obsessively develop the falling semitone+quaver-quaver motif

• Very little rest in strings

• Violas and cellos are more rhythmically active and independent than before, string lines have fugal intensity

• Mozart’s original version did not have timpani, then later revised version added timpani imitating thunder, used to emphasise dark and undercurrent turmoil

Haydn 104

• Strings are used very frantically 

• More use of violas and cellos e.g viola and violin 2 play figure y on bar 168 under violin 1 passage work

• Mvt 2 cellos/basses use arpeggio patterns like alberti bass inspired in 42

• Subtle counterpoint in mvt 2

• Strings used with accents to drive dance feel

• Still just timpani

• Timpani rolls add to opening 

• Timpani in the finale doubles rhythmic patterns and adds to the folk dance feel.

Beethoven No.5:

• Strings deliver the famous motif, lower strings start it in movement 1??!

• String section has expansive range and texture, sudden accents Sforzando

• In development of movement 1, the motif is separated and then rebuilt into thick texture and stormy episodes

• Strings converse with winds and brass, part of a larger dialogue between orchestral families

• Scherzo mvt 3 has mysterious opening with pizzicato lower strings

• Transition between scherxo and finale has sustained timpani roll, like a bridge of suspense

• Timpani no longer background, they are thematic for rhythmic and structural part

Mendelssohn Italian:

• The opening theme (1-4 ) is played by strings and sets tone with quick upbeat staccato in first violins and violas

• The second theme of mvt 2 is in violas and cellos- lush romantic lines

• strings maintain a rhythmic momentum even in this more subdued movement, with the cellos and basses often establishing the pulse with dotted rhythms

• Finale uses lively string dance feel, violin plays fast dotted rhythms

• Timpani are present but never overpowering

• Bars 45-50 theme is restated in lower strings and timpani enters with syncopated accents

• Mvt 2 timpani mostly plays soft rolls e.g 22-24

• In finale timpani punctuates rhythms and often mirrors rhythms of strings

Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique:

• Unconventional bowing techniques e.g sul ponticelo (near bridge), col legno (on wood of bow) 

• Strings introduce idee fixe, 

• They alternate between lush melodies and urgent passages

•  Middle section of mvt 1 has pizzicato bars 138-146, creates unsettling effect

• Mvt 5 strings use sul ponticello 10-13 and col legno 183 to show madness

• More than just timpani!!!!:
  Timpani, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, woodblock, glockenspiel

• In mvt 1 triangle is used sparingly

• Mvt 2 cymbal has subtle crashes and in mvt 3 this storm builds

• Woodblocks and glockenspiel in mvt 5 as to ghostly texture