Megan Stewart
Theory III: MUSI 2311
Dr. Brian Bondari
December 13, 2010
The Analysis of Mozart’s “Dies Irae” The final composition of Mozart, The Requiem mass in D Minor, containing “Dies Irae,” is known to be one of his most powerful and commended works. This piece was composed in 1791 while Mozart was, unfortunately, on his death bed. However, he was unable to complete it so it was then passed on to his assistant and later finished by this man. The choral work can be very dark, for it concerns the Day of Wrath, when God will return to this earth and pass judgment on all creatures that remain, either granting them salvation or perpetual damnation to hell. This theme alone provides one with fear, thus it can be assumed that even
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In two different cases, relatively close together in the music, he uses a secondary dominant to embellish the regularity of the effect. However, in these two different cases, the chords shift slightly, as shown in measures 52 and 55, pictured below. V/IV I V6/5/IV IV Despite the fact that the V/IV is basically a I7 chord, theory students of modern teachings have been taught that the chord after the slash mark of the secondary dominant is where the secondary dominant will lead to. So, creating a simple I chord in the figure above might be seen as a little misleading. His is seen as more traditional in the sense of good music theory practice, but regarding that it is Mozart’s piece, it is safe to say that both will work just fine. Mozart likes to add color to his compositions by also using Neapolitan chords. He effectively uses them as both a passing function as well as a neighboring function. In the example provided above, Mozart cleanly exercises the passing rule of the Neapolitan 6th chord. Refer to Figure 2, measures 36 and 37: D Minor: V7 i i N6 ( in passing function) ◦7 Mozart clearly integrates the Neapolitan chord correctly, in the practical theory sense, and also very well in the application of the passing function. Although the
Out of all of Beethoven’s works, this one arguably stands as one of his most famous. Some say it is because of the heart that was introduced by a musician that was working only for himself, others claim he simply modified Mozart themes. Either way, the form is executed perfectly in a beautiful musical
Wolfgang was busy during his childhood, playing, and practicing his music; he did not get much of a chance to really experience being a child. His father was constantly pushing him to be better, to play hard, and to make more money. Mozart and his father were evidently close, there are many different views to how Leopold fathered his children; some say he was a money hungry truant, others say he was sweet, sensitive, wanted the best for his children, and that the money didn’t matter. I believe that Leopold want the best for his children, and maybe a little money out of it. Eventually, Mozart wanted to leave his native home of Salzburg, he was most likely tired of his father constantly trying to control his life. Having knowledge of the lack of jobs in Vienna, and disregarding his fathers pleads, Mozart left his home anyways, heading for Vienna with no steady job.
This section concludes with a run or lowering pitch and a repeat of open notes of the E Major open chord created by the capo:
One of the problems clarinetists of the 21st century face when performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, K. 622, is creating a performance that is memorable while keeping the authentic integrity of the work. Many clarinetists who perform this work are often concerned with how they should the approach and execute the concerto. Any musician who tackles any new work will approach it by researching historical information on the composer and work, do a musical analysis, and gathering recordings of other interpretations of the same work. This approach will not only allow the performer to be fully immersed in the piece but allow for the performer to create a memorable interpretation.
Mozart wanted to use a setting of Turkey. This idea was accepted by Joseph. The ideas
Even though the two pieces were composed in different centuries – Mozart’s piece in the 18th century and Strauss’ piece in the 20th century – some of the musical elements that they share transcend both time periods. The characteristics of music in the classical period had to do with the new view of human psychology. Mozart was one to introduce contrasting moods within movements or even within a theme. He was able to infuse strong contrasts of moods within the style of his music (Burkholder, Grout, & Palisca 475). In Figaro, Mozart includes an overture which is a piece in sonata form despite its lack of a development section. In Act I cavatina, “Se vuol ballare”, Mozart whimsically makes changes to the character of his music so as to correspond to Figaro’s machinations (Hambrik n.p). By doing so, he musically
The 2nd movement of the Mozart k310 Piano Sonata resembles standard sonata form in many ways. It opens with a first theme in F (same as key signature). The theme is four bars long; two bars of antecedant, two bars of consequent. Mozart then starts the first theme again with a 32nd note run pick-up instead of the 16th note arpeggio pick-up in the the begginning of the piece so we are prepared for variation in the second statement of the first theme. He then continues the theme with variation until the consequent phrase which is completely different from the first consequent phrase. This new consequent has not only faster rythmic movement but also compressed harmonic rythym. This tension
Mozart begins a harmony on a Major sixth chord and leads into a V with a seventh chord, giving a dominant to tonic feel. He further gives this effect by leading into another V with the augment sixth German chord that has been filled out with a perfect fifth and a major third above the A♭ bass. Though the augmented sixth chord is voiced unorthodoxly, it gives the same effect.
Don Giovanni shifts from being comfortable to uncomfortable throughout the dinner scene. In this situation, Mozart appropriately varies the speed of Don Giovanni's rhythm. An example of this occurs at measure 522. Previous to this measure, Don Giovanni has a stable rhythm with most words occurring on the strong beats. It abruptly
to one side here in favor of the more rigorous example of Mozart, which is, however,
The Development of the Mozart is an open free-form section that bases its ideas on thematic materials from the Exposition. It is very modulatory and derivative. Mozart pays special attention to shaping factors in the pace, texture, plan of key relationships and order of all the melodic material. He emphasizes the sub dominant throughout the entire development. It creates a sort of fantasy of the earlier material. The Alberti bass is very prominent through out the entire section. It acts as a strong accompaniment to the new themes that are introduced. The development varies in length from the exposition and in other cases is quite long and detailed. However, it shows a greater degree of tonal, harmonic and rhythmic instability than the other sections. The last part of the developmental section is the re-transition or bridge. It helps prepares the return of the first subject in the tonic. It stresses and prolongs the dominant seventh of the tonic. At the height of the musical tension the tonic triumphs and it enters into the recapitulation.
Thesis: Wolfgang Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor has been admired and analyzed numerous times. Although it has been criticized by many, I believe deeply interpreting this piece will aid in a better understanding of the music during the Classical
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had endless ideas for writing piano sonatas and like his other works, his sonata style has evolved dramatically over the years. His early works have been constantly compared with other well-known composers at the time. For example, it has been suggested that Haydn’s F Major Sonata, Hob. XVI: 23 as a model for Mozart’s K. 280 in the same key.
Mozart was an extremely childish, immature person; yet one of the most talented musicians of all time.
Mozart’s Requiem is “one of the most performed and studied pieces of music in history” (Stango, n.d.). The story behind the start of this piece begins with Count Franz von Walsegg, who commissioned a requiem mass for his wife Anna (who had passed away). Throughout his work on this piece, Mozart began to get so emotionally involved with the piece that he believed that he was writing a death mass for himself. Mozart died December 5, 1791, with only half of the Requiem finished (through Lacrimosa). Franz Xaver Süssmayr finished the Requiem based on Mozart’s specifications from notes and what he had already written. The completed work is dated 1792 by Süssmayr and was performed for the first time on January 2, 1793. Mozart’s intent for this