Beethoven: VIII. symphony,
opus 92
This symphony is said to be “saluting before Haydn”, however, most
of the time it is simply called “chamber-symphony”. Its first performance was
in 1814, on the 27th of February, and it was rather unsuccessful, to
which Beethoven commented: “People will like it one
day”.
Beethoven composed this symphony in 1812,
hardly in the course of half a year. This symphony does not carry big thoughts,
only summons the moments of joy and serenity; it wishes to entertain, naturally
on a classical level. What characterizes this symphony, what should we pay
attention to?
Ø It has an extremely potent
(irresistible) effect
Ø
Its basic tone is cheerful,
humoristic, yet lively
Ø
It is rich in contrasts, and
it is characterized by exceptionally excellent orchestration
After
this short appreciation, let us continue with the analysis. There is no need
for explanations or literary quotations to understand this symphony. In this
symphony we should not look for elevated poetic content or dramatic tone, as it
is not our aim this time. We only have to pay attention to the melody, the
rhythm, the dynamics and tones, and to the shifts and repetitions etc. – to the
music itself.
Movement form: sonata
form.
Tempo designation and time signature: allegro vivace e con brio, 3/4
The first, the second, and the third, the
closing theme is introduced.
The first theme consists
of two sections.
The first
section has a resolute tone, it is played on the whole
orchestra. It is a vigorous theme
in forte volume. This melody sounds the most often in the elaboration.
The second
section has a less resolute tone, it sounds on aerophones,
in piano. The melody emanates serenity and joy; there is a general pause /Gp/
between the theme’s two melodies. ♫
This is followed by "rumbling" motivic material with gradually
increasing power for a longer period, but the development of the first theme is
missing.
After an orchestral pause and a short transition sounds the second theme,
which is immediately repeated. ♫
Another transition
section follows.
The third, closing theme – just like the first theme – consists
of two contrary parts: the first part
is really energetic – its three-note motif sounds four times; the second part is a softer, slightly
elegiac.
The closing theme is immediately repeated once
it ends. Let us observe how the transition's music becomes more and more
similar to the closing theme's melody, rhythm and dynamics. ♫
After another
transition the octave-motif's repetitions follow /octave/; it always sounds four times. The role of the
octave-motif is similar to that of the transition's musical material; it
divides and unites the musical parts at the same time. ♫
All music that follows, the elaboration, the
reexposition and the coda is built up and arranged from this three musical
themes. This musical structure precisely corresponds to the rules of the sonata
form. Let us compare what has been told so far with the flow! It can be
mentioned as a curiosity, that although the movement has waltz time, we don't
feel the usual waltz rhythm.
II. Elaboration
It can be divided into two developmental
sections:
a/ In the first section we first hear the
octave-motif in piano, than the beginning
of the first theme; this is only six notes /this is the head of the theme/, and we hear it four times, which is
concluded with a rumbling orchestral
chord.
The musical structure is as follows: octave-motif,
beginning of the first theme, orchestral forte – repeated twice –, which is
concluded again with the octave-motif.
b/ In the second section of the elaboration the
beginning of the first theme is
further developed. It is repeated several times, then it gradually shortens
down to a few notes; this is repeated many times, then it melts into one note
on the orchestra. This is theme-thinning. Meanwhile the dynamics become more
powerful, dissonance (the absence of harmony, consonance) increases to an
unbearable level, the resolution of which happens when the first theme returns,
but this is already the beginning of the reexposition.
When we listen to the elaboration section, let
us observe that the music follows on a single arch, the pillar of which is – at
the beginning – the head of the theme, and later the motif consisting of a few
notes.
An odd contrast: while the motif shortens, the
gesture becomes more powerful. The fortes in the first section suggest a
dramatic outburst – at the end of which we arrive to the musical event’s
dissonant climax, to which the resolution is when the first theme sounds. Here
the rule of formal analysis clearly succeeds.
III. Reexposition
This time the reexposition is the exact
repetition of the exposition.
IV. The movement is concluded with the coda,
which begins with the octave-motif, then we can
hear the beginning of the first theme followed by some motivic material. We
hear the beginning of the first theme again, the dynamics gain strength,
then the orchestra stops at a hold.
After a transition we hear the closing theme
twice, the orchestral chords shorten,
then finally the movement ends with the evocation of the first half of the
first theme.
For Beethoven the coda is just as important as
any other major part of the movement. It summarizes all that he deems important
in the movement. The coda is the condensed extract of the movement. To use a
comparison: it is like the ending, conclusion of a rhetorical speech, where the
speaker summarizes the essence of his message, which is called “the final
impression of the speech” among professionals.
Summarized:
The symphony’s first movement – 9 minutes
playtime – is built from the three themes, the three musical sentences
introduced in the exposition. Several listennings are required to get to know
the musical themes well, and to be able to follow the musical events; to
realize, where we are within the musical structure.
Analysis of the II. movement
Tempo designation and time signature: Allegretto scherzando, 2/4, B-major
Musical form: sonata form without elaboration.
The root of the movement’s music is the “witty
joke”. What does that mean in the language of music? Scherzo – it, music – a music piece cheerful in nature and lively in
metre; a musical joke.
Before answering our question it is worthy to
explore the definition of the words “joke”, “humor”, and “witty” found in the
dictionary.
joke n. – something said or done to evoke laughter or amusement; a saying not
to be taken seriously; a triviality
humor n. – the quality that makes something
laughable or amusing; funniness
An example for the manifestation of a joke,
humor:
What did the vengeful bee say? …
“I’ll bee back!”
witty adj. – possessing or demonstrating wit
in speech or writing; very clever and humorous /idea, joke etc./
An example for a witty line: They tell us to be happy with what we have. But that
means I’d be even happier if I had even more of it.
In everyday common talk or in a conversation, a
joke or a witty or humorous expression is but an unexpected turn of events, a
sudden continuation in which we found delight and which makes us laugh; we
rather smile at a witty answer.
How is all of this expressed in music? It can
be expressed through rhythm or through the play with motifs; on the other hand
it can be expressed with unexpected and sudden dynamic shifts, or with
interjections within the flow of the music etc..
The legend of the symbols that appear on the
PowerPpoint pages:
© - unexpected dynamic
effect, “sunspot-eruption”
Bm - appearance of the bass-motif
! - dissonant chord in the flow of music
These symbols mark the place of musical
humor and musical jokes.
Returning to the movement: the whole movement’s
humor is given by the play with the motifs. The use of motivic play certifies
exceptional professional knowledge. It catches the listener’s attention how the
two short motifs playfully change each other, and how the extraordinarily
simple repetitions’ witty solutions shift. This simplicity possibly took a lot
of effort from the master, because to create such grand music from such simple
material surely requires an exceptional intellect.
Everything that is music is present in its
whole, perfect form in this movement; it is alone an unsurpassable masterpiece;
it is charming, it emanates an idyllic
mood. The orchestra’s peerless sound is characteristic of the whole movement.
What also belongs to the movement’s history: In
the XIXth century, Johann Nepomuk Maelzel
(1772-1838), German mechanic creates the so-called “metronome” (a clockwork with a pendulum, that produces
regular, metrical ticks; in
music it is used to set the tempo). Beethoven composed a short canon for the
inventor, this is what creates the II. movement’s melody, while the rhythm
imitates the ticking of the metronome on woodwind instruments.
I. Exposition
The idiom is fluent, elegant; it immediately
grabs the listener’s attention. After the first theme sounds it is repeated in variational
form, then a short play of motifs follow
with repetitions among the string instruments and the bass. ♫
The second theme has a jovial, friendly melody. The
bass-figurations rumble in several times (we also hear these during the motivic
play), then again motivic play follows. ♫
The third, or closing theme is repeated once. ♫
There is NO elaboration in the II. movement!
III. Reexposition
With the appearance of the first
theme begins the reexposition. After it we hear the first theme’s variational development. The motivic play is shorter
here! Then the repetition of the
second and third theme is the same as in the exposition, after which a short
coda concludes the movement.
Analysis of the III. movement
Tempo designation and time signature: Tempo di Menuetto, ¾ /minuet/
Movement form: traditional triple division – A B A
It is not a real minuet, and that is also
expressed by the tempo designation; Beethoven only recalls its mood. He avoids
using the minuet in his symphonies, while it is frequent in Haydn’s and Mozart’s
music.
A./ The first part of the movement, the
minuet begins with introductory music, followed by the main theme, which is immediately repeated. Then, thew whole musical
material heard so far is repeated.
Then one of the main theme’s motifs is sequentially developed, and after a
short transition, the main theme sounds first on bassoon, then on violins, and
finally on the whole orchestra; as a
conclusion we hear the shrill signature-tune of the horn
and the trumpet twice.
The beginning of the main theme follows, one of
its motifs is repeated, then again the main theme sounds, which is again
concluded by the shrill signature-tune.
B./ Trio
The trio’s melody and musical material are real
simple. It recalls a bygone mood, sounds on the horn,
and is immediately repeated. Then the motifs of the trio’s melody are
developed. Let us listen to the cello’s accompaniment that sounds in staccató!
A./ After
the trio the “A” part, namely the minuet’s musical material is repeated, but
not completely. This can be seen when comparing the flow charts. The movement’s
short conclusion is composed from the signature-tune’s musical material.
Observation: The II. and III. movement of the symphony that sounds
between the first and fourth movement is called the “relaxing episode” in musical books, apparently because of their
fluent, easy tone and nature.
Analysis of the IV.
movement: Finale
Tempo designation and time signature: Allegro vivace, 2/2
Movement form: a mixture of sonata and rondo forms. Current
analysis follows the sonata form.
This movement has sweeping dynamism; rich in
contrasts and dynamic shofts, suggestive, just like the first movement. It is
further characterized by motivic play and pattern-weaving, which is one of the
principal characteristics of the classical style. Its mood is characterized by
unbridled, unrestrained cheerfulness. (These are rare moments in Beethoven’s
life!)
I. Exposition
The first theme, marked:
1, consists
of two motifs:
-
The
first is the so called „giggling-motif”, marked: km
-
The
second: „answer-motif” in response to the first motif, marked: vm
The theme first sounds in piano, then it is
concluded, and finally repeated on whole orchestra in fortissimo. ♫
Right after the repetitions of the so called
“raging-motif” follows, marked: to-m-i. This motif is composed from the
second part of the first theme.
This is followed by the second theme,
which is repeated with richer orchestration. ♫
Then the third closing
theme follows (we took the sonata
form as base!), which also can be divided into two sections:
-
The first part sounds on aerophones,
-
The second part on whole orchestra, ♫
The closing theme is concluded with a musical
chord, and after a general pause the elaboration begins with the
giggling-motif.
Now we are familiar with the whole musical
material of the movement. In the following music – elaboration, reexposition – there
is no new material. The exposition is not repeated.
II. Elaboration
In the elaboration part after a preparation of
a few metres we hear the first theme, then a section of the answer-motif is
repeated several times. The giggling motif starts again, but it does not end,
rather it leads to the repetitions of the so called beating-motif. At the end of the repetitions – almost unnoticed – begins
the first theme in piano, which is the beginning of the reexposition section.
III. Reexposition
The musical material known from the exposition
is repeated.
IV. Coda /PowerPoint page #19/
The role of the coda is to conclude the
movement, and to give a brief summary of the movement’s musical material.
Beethoven put much more emphasis on the conclusion of the symphony than the
contemporary composers; especially in this symphony. Due to the coda’s richness
in musical details, the markings are a little more detailed than usual.
An interesting fact: the coda’s playtime is 3.36
minutes long, more than the exposition and the elaboration altogether, which is
2.28 minutes long.
1/ The coda’s first part begins with the beginning of the giggling-motif, followed by a new motif, its repetitions and
energetic development, as if we were in another elaboration section instead of
the coda.
After this the giggling-motif begins again,
followed by the beating-motif. The first theme follows, which is concluded with
five orchestral chords.
Afterwards, the giggling-motif is followed by
the answer-motif’s elaboration-like
development. A development section in the coda was also quite rare, not
only in contemporary symphonic music, but also in the case of Beethoven’s music.
Despite what has been said, the short development grabs our attention, and can
be described with one word: wonderful.
And another unexpected turn: the second theme
sounds, which is shortly repeated then concluded.
2/ And it is still not over, because now comes
the coda’s concluding part, which is significantly shorter.
After a general pause the horn begins the
coda’s concluding part. The motivic material that follows is the
beginning of the conclusion; at around the middle of this section Beethoven
recalls the answer-motif’s beginning twice, after which the only things present
are symphony concluding chords that tremble in fortissimo.
According to many the coda is way too long, however when we experience
it, we will only be able to describe it with one word: grandiose. /grandiose/
Contemporary
opinions about the symphony
On
the occasion of the publication of its printed issue the Viennese Allgemeine
Musikalische Zeitung wrote a veritable praise of the symphony (issue of 17th
January, 1818). The twin newspaper in
Furthermore
it is the
These people
include Schumann, who wrote the
following in December 1840, on occasion of the orchestral concerts in
“From among Beethoven’s symphonies this
F-major symphony is the least played; even in
The orchestra truly excelled; even the
delicate trio – with its own consoling and melancholic horn melody – turned out
to be perfectly beautiful.”
Dénes Bartha: Beethoven kilenc
szimfóniája – p.241.
I n w o r d s
It may seem that
the VIII. symphony composed between the VII. and IX symphonies is less
significant, but this is not true. It was possibly created on carefree days; however
its artistic elaboration is of an extremely high standard, a real masterpiece. Happiness,
serenity and musical humor is present in its content. It quickly spread across
The first movement can be
described best with two: resolute and energetic. It is full of bold turns and
sharp contrasts at the same. One of the Grotesque elements is the often sounding octave-motif.
The elaboration is
a single, powerful increase towards a dynamic and dissonant climax. It is not
the cheerful moments that emerge or increase, rather it is the main motif that clashes with its own motif, which –
besides serenity –, results in a music full of conflict, even if it’s not that
dramatic. This is of course something unexpected.
The coda is
significant in its playtime as well; it is a worthy top up of the movement – we
witness another musical climax. It is a nice gesture in the movement’s
conclusion, how Beethoven recalls the main theme’s initial motif in piano.
The second
movement is the scherzo of scherzos. The use and application of
motifs, as well as the motivic play is masterful; no attribute is exaggerated: it
is peerless, unique, unsurpassable. Those who have never witnessed it before,
can now truly understand what jest is in music.
What does a
musical joke sound like?
Let us
observe
Ø how
Beethoven passes the motiv between the violins and the bass
Ø how the
dynamic shifts happen – in an unexpected and irregular way
Ø how
forte “g r u m b l e s”
Ø how the
motif of three bass notes intrude into the pianissimo
Ø how in
the recall the main theme’s motif is split into quick thirty-second notes
The orchestration,
the “musical robe” requires extra attention, as it is seductively wonderful. The
music has “good sounding” and it is perfectly equaled throughout; it is further
away from the too dissonant and bizarre attributes of the so called
“Beethoven-tone”; from the “sunspot-eruptions”, which is used to describe
Beethoven’s unexpected dynamics.
The movement’s
“drastic conclusion” is another short and witty joke in the coda. The listener
does not expect this, rather a lyrical ending.
According to experts, the third movement, as
well as the II. movement are considered to be relaxing episodes between the
the melody of the Trio
is simple, intimate, jovial in mood, but lifted to the level of classical music;
it emanates a greater sense of tranquility than the melody of the minuet-theme
from the first part of the movement. Let us think for a moment about Haydn’s
symphonies, where the musical themes, thoughts can be enjoyed and listened to
without any particular sense of shock.
The fourth
movement has sweeping dynamism. Extreme contrasts characterize
it both in dynamics, within the theme and in temperament.
The movement’s
beginning is unusual: the main theme is a gliding violin-figuration in piano.
(It cannot be called a melody!) At the end of the
movement, in the coda, as a result of the great enhancement, the movement ends
in maximal fortissimo.
Index
grandiose it – magnificent, wonderful; fascinating in
proportions < back
grotesque it /grotta: cave/ – odd, peculiar, deformed;
aesthetic quality: the type of humor in which the interweaving of the most
extreme contrary elements result in a hilarious effect; e.g. connecting the
motifs of majestic and inferior creates a grotesque effect < back
idill greek (eidüllion: „small image”) – a work of art or art piece that presents
life or a part of life in a beautified form as simple and happy, without
problems;
it can be found in almost every period
of arts; shows reality as ideal and joyful, which is contradictory in
every age; music musical piece with no definite form that emanates a
calm, peaceful mood < back
menuette, minuet fr – pair
dance of French origin with three quarter metre and moderate tempo; in the
XVIII. century it was the suite’s regular movement type; later it served as the
concluding movement in symphonic and chamber music; Stamitz replaced the III.
movement with it, Haydn sped its tempo up, while Beethoven formed it into a
scherzo < back
oktave lat – the eight note on
a scale /do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do/, its value is the same as of
the keynote < back
staccato it – interrupted
performance, each note sounds separately /it is not continuous/ < back