Beethoven - Set Work

Question 1

INTRO - What is the tempo marking of the introduction?

Answer 1

Adagio molto (very slow)

Question 2

INTRO - Which chord opens the symphony?

Answer 2

C7 chord (creates dissonance, unusual start)

Question 3

INTRO - Which cadence leads to A minor in bar 2?

Answer 3

Interrupted cadence

Question 4

INTRO - Which cadence confirms G major in bar 3?

Answer 4

Perfect cadence

Question 5

INTRO - Why is the tonality unusual in the introduction?

Answer 5

It avoids establishing the tonic key (C major)

Question 6

INTRO - What texture is heard at the opening?

Answer 6

Homophonic tutti chords

Question 7

INTRO - Which instrument family plays pizzicato?

Answer 7

Strings

Question 8

INTRO - What dynamics/articulations are used at the start?

Answer 8

fp (fortepiano) tenuto/staccato contrasts

Question 9

EXPOSITION - What is the tempo marking from the exposition onwards?

Answer 9

Allegro con brio (fast with spirit)

Question 10

EXPOSITION - What is the time signature of the exposition?

Answer 10

2/2 (alla breve)

Question 11

EXPOSITION - Which key is the 1st subject in?

Answer 11

C major (tonic)

Question 12

EXPOSITION - What is the melodic shape of the 1st subject?

Answer 12

Based on tonic triad + semitone step

Question 13

EXPOSITION - How many bars long is the 1st subject phrase?

Answer 13

6 bars (irregular)

Question 14

EXPOSITION - What harmonic feature ends the 1st subject?

Answer 14

Cadential 6/4 cadence

(This is a Ic-Va chord progression)

Question 15

EXPOSITION - What techniques are used in the transition?

Answer 15

Ascending triads sequences

Question 16

EXPOSITION - Which key is the 2nd subject in?

Answer 16

G major (dominant)

Question 17

EXPOSITION - Which instrument group plays the 2nd subject?

Answer 17

Woodwind

Question 18

EXPOSITION - What texture is used in the 2nd subject?

Answer 18

Melody + accompaniment

Question 19

EXPOSITION - What type of phrasing is in the 2nd subject?

Answer 19

Antecedent–consequent (question–answer)

Question 20

EXPOSITION - Which cadence closes the codetta?

Answer 20

Perfect cadence in G major

Question 21

DEVELOPMENT - What key does the Development begin in?

Answer 21

A major — a tertiary relationship to C major.

Question 22

DEVELOPMENT - Comment on what happens in this section relating to:
Tonality / Melody / Texture & Harmony

Answer 22

Tonality - Rapid modulations (C minor, F minor, Bb, Eb, etc.)
Melody - theme fragments sequenced/inverted
Texture - antiphonal texture
Harmony - diminished 7ths, dominant pedal to prepare recap.

Question 23

DEVELOPMENT - Why is starting in A major surprising?

Answer 23

A major is not a closely related key to C major — it’s a tertiary (third away) relationship.

Question 24

DEVELOPMENT - What happens to the themes in the Development?

Answer 24

They are fragmented, sequenced, inverted, combined, and developed through different keys.

Question 25

DEVELOPMENT - Which subjects are developed in this section?

Answer 25

Both 1st and 2nd subject ideas are used along with material from the bridge.

Question 26

DEVELOPMENT - What harmonic device does Beethoven use at the start of the Development?

Answer 26

A circle of 5ths progression (A → D → G → C minor → F minor → Bb).

Question 27

DEVELOPMENT - What type of chords add drama in the Development?

Answer 27

Diminished 7th chords.

Question 28

DEVELOPMENT - How does Beethoven create tonal instability? Rapid modulations

Answer 28

Rapid modulations, sometimes to distant or unrelated keys (e.g. Bb major, Eb major).

Question 29

DEVELOPMENT - What textures are used in the Development?

Answer 29

Antiphonal exchanges, imitation, unison, monophonic, and contrary motion.

Question 30

DEVELOPMENT - How does Beethoven prepare for the Recapitulation?

Answer 30

By using a dominant (G) pedal towards the end of the Development.

Question 31

DEVELOPMENT - What dynamic contrasts are typical of the Development?

Answer 31

Sudden shifts — forte chords followed by piano passages; crescendos and diminuendos create drama.

Question 32

RECAPITULATION - What key is the First Subject in during the Recap?

Answer 32

C major

Question 33

RECAPITULATION - The Bridge is identical to the Exposition.

Answer 33

False → it is altered to avoid modulation

Question 34

RECAPITULATION - What key is the Second Subject in during the Recap?

Answer 34

C major

Question 35

RECAPITULATION - Which instruments reinforce cadences here?

Answer 35

Brass and timpani

Question 36

RECAPITULATION - Which texture is typical in the Recap?

Answer 36

Antiphonal exchanges

Question 37

RECAPITULATION - The Recapitulation avoids modulation and stays in C major.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

RECAPITULATION - Which dynamics dominate the Recap?

Answer 38

Fortissimo, crescendos, sforzandos

Question 39

RECAPITULATION - Which rhythmic features add energy?

Answer 39

Scalic runs and syncopated chords

Question 40

RECAPITULATION - How does Beethoven create excitement?

Answer 40

Rising sequences, tutti, fast harmonic rhythm

Question 41

RECAPITULATION - The Recap ends with a codetta in C major.

Answer 41

True

Question 42

CODA - What theme is the Coda based on?

Answer 42

1st subject

Question 42

CODA - The Coda is short and typical of the Classical period.

Answer 42

False → it’s unusually long and dramatic

Question 43

CODA - Which harmonic device recalls the Introduction?

Answer 43

Dominant 7th chords

Question 44

CODA - What new orchestral feature is heard in the Coda?

Answer 44

Timpani roll on G

Question 45

CODA - Which dynamic dominates the Coda?

Answer 45

Fortissimo

Question 45

CODA - Pedal notes are used to reinforce the tonic in the Coda.

Answer 45

True

Question 46

CODA - How does Beethoven end the piece?

Answer 46

Four bold C major chords, tutti

Question 47

CODA - Which string technique adds intensity near the end?

Answer 47

Tremolo

Question 48

CODA - The Coda is one of Beethoven’s first signs of pushing beyond Classical norms.

Answer 48

True

Question 49

CODA - What is the purpose of the Coda?

Answer 49

To give a strong, memorable ending