Scoring: 3 flutes (including piccolo) | 2 oboes | 2 clarinets | 2 bassoons 4 horns | 2 trumpets | 3 trombones | tuba Strings Timpani (plus two other percussionists) FIRST MOVEMENT: Adagio - Allegro non troppo FORM: Sonata form KEY: E minor - B minor Listen to this movement (RealAudio file) LIVE PERFORMANCE: The Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Curro The slow introduction to this symphony is unusual in that it begins in the subdominant key - E minor, solemnly introduced by the bassoons (Ex. 1):  Ex. 1 It modulates into B minor, and the tempo increases for the principal subject, Ex. 2 (a theme derived from Ex. 1):  Ex. 2 This theme is elaborated and developed, and a march-like motif forms a bridge passage leading to a climax. The strings then introduce the soaring and song-like second subject in D major (Ex. 3):  Ex. 3 The flute and bassoon answer with rising scales in a triplet rhythm (Ex. 4), and are soon joined by other instruments:  Ex. 4 Ex. 3 is restated a number of times and developed. The second subject group gradually dies away with fragments from Exs. 3 and 4. The development section enters with a bang. The section brings no startling thematic growth or transformation, but is highly dramatic and effective nonetheless. A huge recapitulatory climax utilizing the full brass section announces the return of Ex. 2. The second subject (Ex. 3) is also restated, but without the triplet scales and ends with another 'dying' coda. A descending pizzicato bass provides a background for the brass, who bring the movement to a close. SECOND MOVEMENT: Allegro con grazia FORM: Ternary Form KEY: D major This movement begins like a typical Tchaikovsky waltz, except for the unusual feature of a 5/4 time signature broken into 2+3 beats per measure. The first theme (Ex. 5), in D major, is basically an upward scale with a triplet in the middle, which descends in a similar fashion:  Ex. 5 A new idea is introduced in the rhythm of Ex. 5 which is repeated before Tchaikovsky moves back to the first theme (Ex. 5). The trio (Ex. 6) begins in the relative minor and is mainly just a downward scale with different endings:  Ex. 6 Tchaikovsky also includes various modulations, thus adding to the effect of the trio. The key of D major returns at the end of the trio, announcing the return of the first theme (Ex. 5). The coda consists of the first theme in the bass, and fragments of the trio in the upper parts. THIRD MOVEMENT: Allegro molto vivace FORM: Ternary Form KEY: D major This movement is basically a scherzo in ternary form. It opens in moto perpetuo or continual movement (Ex. 1):  Ex. 7 The trumpets then enter with a motive of descending fourths, and a march rhythm takes over the moto perpetuo. This eventually leads on to a march in E major, introduced quietly by the clarinet:  Ex. 8 Following this is a disappearance of the main rhythm through a syncopated chordal theme. The first group of themes are restated, and the march returns triumphantly following a fanfare of trumpets. The chords also return, but this time in an upward scale. The march is brought to a powerful conclusion in the coda. FOURTH MOVEMENT: Finale: Adagio lamentoso - Andante FORM: Rondo Form KEY: B minor This movement is quite unusual in that it lacks the complexity of the first and is very slow and mournful - very uncharacteristic of a final movement. The movement 's principal subject is a descending idea in B minor (Ex. 1), created by the criss-crossing of various instruments:  Ex. 9 Single notes are accentuated and move into a counter-melody. The theme is repeated, but the accents are now played by the darker wind instruments like the bassoon. The second subject is a descending idea in D major (Ex. 10) which builds to a climax:  Ex. 10 The now powerful rhythm stops suddenly as the theme repeats and moves back to B minor. The first theme is restated and repeated. It then builds to a climax and dies into away into a coda. The coda is very long, and consists of the second theme harmonized in a similar way to the first, portraying despair and sorrow. Back to top of page |
