Chapter 12:
The Symphony
The Slow
Movement
Key Terms
Slow movement
Classical variation form
Theme and variations
Slow Movement
Typical Features
Slow tempo
No standard form: may use sonata,
variation, rondo, or other form
Often lyrical and songlike in character
Haydn’s Symphony No. 95 uses Classical
theme and variations form
Theme and Variations
Theme
A complete tune in several phrases
Variations
The variations present a series of
contrasting moods
Each one varies the theme in a different
way
Each one usually follows the same phrase
structure as the theme
Theme and Variations
Standard theme & variations form
• Any number of variations are possible
Baroque vs. Classical
Vivaldi ground bass
theme
Short, one phrase
In bass voice
Polyphonic texture
One cadence at end
Continuous motion
into next variation
Haydn symphony
theme
A tune in 4 phrases
In top voice
Homophonic
Several cadences
Full stop before next
variation
Haydn, Symphony No. 95, II (1)
Theme (aabb)
Melody a simple tune with regular phrases
Articulation mostly legato
Major mode, stable harmonies
Simple rhythms emphasize beat
String colors, 1st violins on melody
Middle to low register
Accompaniment simple, staccato chords
Haydn, Symphony No. 95, II (2)
Haydn, Symphony No. 95, II (3)
Variation 1 (a1a1’b1b1)
Melody ornamented when a and b repeat
Articulation of ornaments more staccato
Rhythm of ornaments feels faster
Solo cello, pizzicato accompaniment
Register lower when cello plays, lower and
higher in violin decorations
New countermelody above cello melody
Haydn, Symphony No. 95, II (4)
Variations 2 (a2b2b2’) and 3 (a3a3’b3)
What was changed in these variations?
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Melody? Articulation? Form?
Mode? Harmony?
Rhythm? Meter? Tempo?
Dynamics?
Tone color? Register?
Texture? Accompaniment?
Theme
Variation 2
Variation 3
Haydn, Symphony No. 95, II (5)
Theme
Variation 2
Variation 3
Haydn, Symphony No. 95, II (5)
Coda (a4?)
Is this a new variation or a coda?
How is this coda unusual?
Describe Haydn’s joke.
Haydn, Symphony No. 95, II (6)
More sophisticated than many theme &
variation works
• Haydn writes variations within variations
Review
Classical Theme and Variations
A sectional form with clear cadences and
distinct sections
Relies on variation principle: simultaneous
repetition and contrast
Theme often a tune with clear phrases
Typical formal scheme:
• A A1 A2 A3 A4 … Coda