Path 05
Understanding sonata form
The form behind most first movements, heard twelve times, from a small sonata to a symphony.
Mozart → Haydn → Beethoven → Schubert → Mendelssohn → Brahms → Prokofiev
Symphony No. 104 in D major
This guide follows Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 in D major “London” (1795) in four parts: Adagio - Allegro (sonata form), Andante, Menuet: Allegro (minuet and trio) and Finale: Spiritoso (sonata form).
I Adagio - Allegro · Sonata form · 10 sections
:
(Repeat of may be observed)
:
- I -
- II
- III:
- IV:
A slow in D minor begins with a loud made only of fifths and fourths, so it is not clear at first whether the is major or minor. The is monothematic: the , marked as the , is the moved to A major. The begins in B minor. The restores the in D major, and a closes the .
- :
- (Repeat of may be observed)
- :
II8:22–15:01
A graceful in G major, stated softly by the strings and then varied; it falls into parts a, b and an a. A contrasting B section passes through G minor and B-flat major, and a leads back. Then the (A′) with altered rhythms and more prominent winds, especially the flute. The ends , with a in the horn.
- a
- A: b
- A: a
- A:
- B
- Second half
- /
- A′: a1
- A′: b
- A′: a and developed
- A′:
A fast in D major. An eight- is played by the full orchestra, then repeated softly, and when the A music surprising pauses and trills appear. The is unusually in B-flat major, with a -like tune for oboe or bassoon and violin over plucked strings. A short brings the music back to D major.
- A
- : A written-out repeat
- B
- : C
- A
- B
- A
- ()
The opens softly over a drone, a held D in horns and cellos, with the first violins playing a folk-like dance tune that recalls bagpipes and is often linked to a Croatian folk song. The is more lyrical. The mixes from the . The begins with no pause, and in the a D minor outburst interrupts before a simple question-and- close.
- :
- :
- :
- :
- :
- :
Section boundaries in music are not always sharp; a transition may be felt over a pause or a held chord.
At a glance
- I. Adagio - Allegro
- II. Andante
- III. Menuet: Allegro
- IV. Finale: Spiritoso
Questions
- How long is Symphony No. 104 in D major?
- About 26 min in this recording, in 4 movements: I 8 min, II 7 min, III 5 min and IV 6 min.
- What form are its movements in?
- I: sonata form, III: minuet and trio and IV: sonata form.
- Which instruments play in Symphony No. 104 in D major?
- Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Timpani, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello and Double bass.
- How fast is it played?
- In this recording, measured from the score: I half note ≈ 131 bpm, II quarter note ≈ 58 bpm, III quarter note ≈ 165 bpm and IV half note ≈ 159 bpm.
- Is there a score of Franz Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 104 in D major?
- Yes, of every movement.
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Path 06
Haydn in London
Haydn's two London visits, 1791–95: six of the symphonies he wrote there, three piano sonatas, and what he took home to Vienna.
Haydn
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