The Symphony

The symphony
Definition: an extended composition composed for orchestra.

Four movements:

1st: allegro, rondo or sonata form

2nd: slow/adagio, usually in different key to the 1st, ‘contrasting slow and lyrical
one, in abridged sonata form, air-and-variations, rondo or ternary form (rarely in
sonata form).’

3rd: minuet in ternary form (Beethoven replaced this with a scherzo)

4th: rondo form or sonata form, ‘fast and furious’

Over time, symphonies grew longer and more dramatic, becoming more adventurous
in harmony and structure
Development of the orchestra
Orchestra size and range increased.
In 1750 - fairly small, emphasis on string players, organ/harpsichord, sometimes a lute player
Between 1750-1775 the harpsichord/organ basso continuo disappeared.
More woodwind instruments joined e.g. oboes, flutes
Clarinets were introduced by Haydn in his London symphonies, Beethoven added a third and fourth
horn, contrabassoons and the piccolo as well. Percussion and brass sections developed, too.
Usually about 50-80 musicians in a symphony orchestra.
Examples of instruments developing over time:
Cello: bridge was raised = more pressure = more volume. Neck re-angled for clarity.
Flute: bore narrowed, embouchure hole became less round, became made out of metal instead of
wood
Trumpet: fingerholes and slides were added, they became much smaller, valves enabled chromatic
scales to be played
Important symphonic composers and landmark works
Johann stamitz (1717-1757):
simple tutti textures, sudden accents and cresc/dim
M= Mannheim
Mcresc (whole orchestra cresc),
Mclimax (after Mcresc, instruments drop out one by one except strings)
Mrocket (rising arpeggio-based passage)
Mroller (ascending melody over ostinato, extended and loud passage)
Msigh (2 slurred notes w emphasis on first)
Mbirds (imitation of birds in solo passages)
Grand Pause (subito rest before an energetic restart)
Contributed to dev of sonata form in mainly first and occasionally final mvts.
Important symphonic composers and landmark works
Haydn (1760-1780) and Mozart (late 1770s and early 1780s):
Inspired by each other and solidified the 4-movt structure by adding minuet and trios.
Haydn:
E.g. London Symphonies (40 performers in total)
Rhythmic momentum, driving modulations/preparation to the dominant.
Mozart:
E.g. Prague symphony (unusual as it didn’t have a minuet mvt)
Fuller imitation, freer instrumentation, more lyrical melodies and chromatic than Haydn,
thicker textures,
Important symphonic composers and landmark works
Beethoven (classical to romantic era):

E.g. symphony no. 5 (thematic and cyclical between mvts)

Expanded but didn’t change structures.

Minuet → scherzo = different mood, pace, rhythm.

More polyphonic devices and extensive modulation, rhythmic syncopation and

dynamic outbursts.

Use of counterpoint, harmonic dissonance.

Important symphonic composers and landmark works
Berlioz (1830-1900):

E.g. symphonie fantastique (idee fixe and expanded on orchestral sonority and lyricism)

Coined the term ‘idée fixe’ which is like a leitmotif.

Challenged the four mvt structure (wrote a 5-mvt symphony called “Episode in the Life of an
Artist”

Instead of developing the theme, Berlioz unified all mvts by having the theme ready from the start.

He enjoyed exploiting the orchestra’s range of timbres and power.

Liszt:

E.g. Faust symphony (a ‘distorted fugue created out of the themes’)

Created ‘symphonic poems’ which were continuous symphonic-style works e.g he had thirteen
one-mvt pieces.
Why symphonies were composed.
Originally composed to introduce an opera. Became so popular they formed their
own genre.

Patron: provides financial/promotional aid and commissions artists works in order to

support them.

E.g. haydn was commissioned by Salomon to come to London and write the 12
London symphonies.
Reasons for symphonic commissions
Haydn: for the Esterhazy princes, for court performances
Mozart: Salzburg court for Prince Archbishop Hieronymus at age 16.
Beethoven: court organist of Neefe (one of his first teachers) but was mostly a
freelancer!
Berlioz: Symphonie funebre et triomphale for the anniversary of the July Revolution
1830. Mainly government commissioned. His Symphonie Fantastique was for
Harriet Smithson (wife)