Haydn's Clock symphony

Question 1

Explain how Haydn used structure and form in ways that are typical of the classical period.

Answer 1

• Opening melody is introduced by the strings playing pizzicato
• The melody is later repeated using different orchestral instruments, for example, the flute, or the woodwind, playing staccato.
• This use of theme and variation form (the technique of repeating a melodic theme, but with variations each time) is typical of classical style.
• Generally, regular length phrases = typical

Question 2

Explain how Haydn used structure and form to create balance and contrast.

Answer 2

• Opening melody is introduced by the strings playing pizzicato.
• The melody is later repeated using different orchestral instruments, for example, the flute, or the woodwind, playing staccato.
• Haydn therefore uses theme and variation form (the technique of repeating a melodic theme, but with variations each time).
• This creates contrast and interest with the variations, but maintains a sense of balance through repetition and the use of different instruments.
• Generally, regular length phrases - creatres balance

Question 3

Explain how Haydn used tonality in ways that are typical of the classical period.

Answer 3

• The tonality of the second movement is G major, while the whole symphony is in D major.
• G is the subdominant of D major - a closely related key.
• Additionally, the tonality within the 2nd movement changes to G minor in the contrasting section.
• This use of contrasts and close modulations is typical of the classical period.

Question 4

Explain how Haydn used tonality to create balance and contrast.

Answer 4

• The tonality of the second movement is G major, while the whole symphony is in D major.
• G is the subdominant of D major - a closely related key.
• Additionally, the tonality within the 2nd movement changes to G minor in the contrasting section.
• Close modulations to related keys maintains a sense of balance
• Contrast created with modulation to distant key of flattened submediant.

Question 5

Explain how Haydn used harmony in ways that are typical of the classical period.

Answer 5

• The chords mostly used in the 2nd movement are the tonic (G major) and dominant (D major).
• The oboe, for example, plays a pedal note on the dominant. Phrases and sections are often completed with perfect cadences.
• The use of chords 1 and 5 is typical of classical style.
• In keeping with much music of the period, the clock symphony often uses symmetrical harmonic phrasing.

Question 6

Explain how Haydn used harmony to create balance and contrast.

Answer 6

• The chords mostly used in the 2nd movement are the tonic (G major) and dominant (D major).
• The oboe, for example, plays a pedal note on the dominant. Phrases and sections are often completed with perfect cadences.
• The use of chords 1 and 5 is typical of classical style, and helps the music to feel balanced.
• Haydn creates contrast by using imperfect sentences to join phrases together.
• In keeping with much music of the period, Haydn often uses symmetrical harmonic phrasing, again adding a sense of balance.

Question 7

Explain how Haydn used articulation in ways that are typical of the classical period.

Answer 7

• The 2nd movement opens with bassoons, playing staccato, and strings playing pizzicato.
• The main melody, played also by strings, is played arco and legato.
• The strings later play con arco and staccato. When the woodwind have the melody, they also play staccato.
• Therefore, these varied articulations of playing techniques, especially on strings, are typical of classical style.

Question 8

Explain how Haydn used articulation to create balance and contrast.

Answer 8

• The 2nd movement opens with bassoons, playing staccato, and strings playing pizzicato.
• The main melody, played also by strings, is then played arco and legato.
• The strings later play con arco and staccato. When the woodwind have the melody, they also play staccato.
• These varied articulations and playing techniques create contrast within the piece, whilst maintaining balance through the repetition of the recurring theme.

Question 9

Explain how Haydn used timbre in ways that are typical of the classical period.

Answer 9

• In the opening bars, the gracefulness of the strings playing the melody contrasts with the ticking effect of the backing, the use of strings being a typical timbre of the classical period.
• Haydn later transfers the melody to other instruments, such as the flute, as well as varying the playing techniques on the strings.
• Therefore, Haydn varies the timbre of the melody as it reccurs. This use of theme and variation is typical of classical style.

Question 10

Explain how Haydn used timbre to create balance and contrast.

Answer 10

• In the opening bars, the gracefulness of the strings playing the melody contrasts with the ticking effect of the backing.
• Haydn later transfers the melody to other instruments, such as the flute, as well as varying the playing techniques on the strings.
• Haydn therefore varies the timbre of the melody as it reccurs.
• This use of theme and variation serves to create balance, through the repetition, as well as contrast, through the different variations.

Question 11

Explain how Haydn used rhythm in ways that are typical of classical style.

Answer 11

• The melody often uses dotted and varied rhythms against the steady “ticking” quaver accompaniment pattern.
• Oboe plays a pedal note.
• When the music becomes more complex, shorter notes are used more often.
• This creates contrast, which is typical of many classical pieces, particularly in andante movements of symphonies.

Question 12

Explain how Haydn used rhythm to create balance and contrast.

Answer 12

• The melody often uses dotted and varied rhythms against the steady “ticking” quaver accompaniment pattern, creating a sense of balance.
• Oboe plays a pedal note, adding contrast.
• When the music becomes more complex, shorter notes are used more often.
• This creates contrast, which is typical of many classical pieces, particularly in andante movements of symphonies.

Question 13

Explain how Haydn used melody in ways that are typical of classical style.

Answer 13

• The melody is mainly scalic, rising and falling, with some triadic movement. This type of melody writing is typical of classical music.
• There is a repetitive 2-note motif in the “ticking” accompaniment, motifs being a common feature of classical music.
• There are some ornaments the in main melody, e.g. acciaccatura. Ornamentation is typical of classical style.
• Imitative patterns between parts.

Question 14

Explain how Haydn used melody to create balance and contrast.

Answer 14

• The melody is mainly scalic, rising and falling, with some triadic movement. The contrast between scalic and triadic movement creates a sense of balance.
• There is a repetitive 2-note motif in the “ticking” quaver accompaniment, which contrasts with the dotted movement of the melody.
• There are some ornaments in the main melody, e.g. acciaccatura, which add interest and variation, creating balance.
• Imitative patterns between parts create balance.

Question 15

Explain how Haydn used dynamics in ways that are typical of classical style.

Answer 15

• The instruments play piano at the beginning, so that you can hear the “ticking” theme.
• Then, in the contrasting section, there is an explosion of sound where the whole orchestra comes to life.
• This portrayal of drama and action through dynamics is typical of classical music.

Question 16

Explain how Haydn used dynamics to create balance and contrast.

Answer 16

• The instruments play softly at the beginning, so that you can hear the “ticking” theme.
• Then, in the contrasting section, there is an explosion of sound, where the whole orchestra comes to life.
• This portrayal of drama and action creates contrast with the softness of the rest of the movement, giving it a sense of balance.

Question 17

Explain how Haydn used texture in ways that are typical of classical style.

Answer 17

• Throughout the piece, the overall texture is melody and accompaniment, the accompaniment being the quaver movement of the “ticking” motif.
• This texture is typical of classical music.
• Haydn varies the sonority by varying the instruments which play both the melody and the accompaniment throughout the piece.
• When the second theme is heard for the second time, the full orchestra plays, creating a richer and denser texture.
• In the dramatic, contrasting minor section, there is antiphony within the string section, and they later play in unison.

Question 18

Explain how Haydn used texture to create balance and contrast.

Answer 18

• Throughout the piece, the overall texture is melody and accompaniment, the accompaniment being the quaver movement of the “ticking” motif.
• Haydn creates contrast within this continuous texture by varying the instruments which play both the melody and the accompaniment.
• When the second theme is heard for the second time, the full orchestra plays, creating a richer and denser texture which contrasts with and balances out the thinner previous texture.
• In the dramatic, contrasting minor section, there is antiphony within the string section, and they later play in unison, adding further contrast and creating balance.

Question 19

What is the metre of this movement?

Answer 19

2/4 throughout.