UNTc18
A menuet is a dance, typically in 3/4, that was typically in ABA form, but each section had its own smaller form that it followed. The A section was the menuet, the dance. It would have a very strong down beat and would be written in two smaller sections that would both be repeated. The B section was the trio. This section was written with the purpose of being a sweeter and lighter sounding section. Often an emphasis would be put on off beats and they would write it with three distinct ideas. Like the menuet, each section within the trio was repeated. The final A section was again the menuet, however, the repeats would not be taken in this final section.
Rhythm is a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound. In this case, the rhythmic repetition is happening at the opening theme. It's built upon the first 4 measures and the rhythmic repeption happens between the instrumentation. In the first two measures, winds play a downbeat, while the strings play an emphasized downbeat and add the rest of the quarter notes. The next two measures, both instrumentations play a similar figure of quarter notes and 8th notes. Those same 4 measures are repeated with a slight variation on the last bar, which serves as a transition into the next part of the opening theme. Strings go into a unison line that starts with a quarter note on the downbeat of that first part, then straight 8th notes for 5 measures. At the end of that phrase, there's a measure of quarter notes played by the strings, which sets up the new section and a modulation in the key.
The definition of a melody is a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying. Melody is built upon many concepts, such as rhythm, shapes, color, timbre, etc. In this case, the melody is passed around the diferent parts of the ensemble. First off, the background has the 8th note part on the Violoncello and the high voices take the melody with the quarter note motion. The shape of each part of the melody keeps moving upward, depending on the key. After that, the violins take the 16th note part and pass the emphasis on melody to the rest of the ensemble. Winds play strong downbeats, along with the lower voices of the strings.
Modulation is when the music changes from one key to another. For this example, the main attraction is the string section (Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass). This segment of the movement starts in D major and moves to D minor, with a slight movement into F Major. The key modulation can sometimes happen with changes in tempo, dynamics, melodic shapes, rhythm structure, etc. For this excerpt, the rhythm is very busy within the mid voices of the strings and some accent variatons on the high voices. Because it is the finale, it's common to end the piece strong with a statement and in this case, it also involves a subtle variation to create tension and release with the key modulation. With that in mind, the dynamic ceiling changes as well. When it's in the major key, the sound's very powerful and moving, while the minor key presentes a more subtle and quiet, yet moving section of the piece.
Throughout the eighteenth century and well into the nineteenth it was standard performance practice for the trill to be begun on note above the written note and rapidly move between the two pitches.
This recording provides example of a common format used within eighteenth century oratorio. Duo soloists would commonly introduce text, and the choir would then enter and often restate this same text.
In Galant style music commonly there was only on melodic line present at a time, often accompanied by fast rhythmic harmony. In this example the Flute has the melody while being accompanied by the strings. After several seconds, the two switch roles.
Subito dynamic changes are a common musical effect, where the music suddenly becomes much softer, or louder. This excerpt was taken from the Sinfonia in Bb major by Domenico Cimarosa. Subito dynamic changes arose in popularity in the eighteenth century due to many factors, including increased orchestra coordination, practice, and public appeal.
Da Capo, or "from the beginning", is a musical form that involves a return to the beginning of a section of music. In vocal music, the return is generally ornamented in some way. In this excerpt, the opening of the aria is heard followed by the end of the second section's transition to the return of the opening material after the da capo. The return is ornamented.