Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 —
1st Movement, Allegro Vivace
Listening Guide
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Composition: Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 — 1st Movement, Allegro Vivace
Date: 1788
Genre: Symphony
Form: Sonata form
Performing Forces: Classical orchestra
What we want you to remember about this composition:
- Listen to the different sections identified in sonata form.
- During the development section you will feel the instability of the piece induced by the key changes and ever changing instrument voicings.
Other things to listen for:
Timing
Performing Forces, Melody, and Texture
Form:
Full orchestra. Stated twice—First loud and then soft short responses.
EXPOSITION: Opening triplet motive
The forte dynamic continues, with emphasis on dotted rhythms.Winds perform opening melody followed by staccato string answer;Full bowed motion in strings.
First theme in C major
Motive of three notes continues; Soft lyrical theme with moving ornamentation in accompaniment.
Pause followed by second theme of the exposition
Sudden forte dynamic. Energy increases until sudden softening to third pause; Brass fanfares with complement of the timpani.
Second Pause followed by transition to build tension
Theme played in the strings with grace notes used. Melody builds to a closing;A light singable melody derived from Mozart's aria "Un baccio di mano"
After the third pause, the third theme is introduced
Transition played by flute, oboe and bassoon followed by third theme in strings; Music.
DEVELOPMENT SECTION: Transition to third theme
Modulations in this section add to the instability of the section;
Starts like the exposition but with repetition in different keys.
Modulation to the minor
Now started by the oboes and bassoons;
Now in C minor, not E flat major, which provides a more ominous tone.
Recapitulation in original key: First theme