Brahms: Intro Part 2

Question 1

Where is Part 2 of the introduction?

Answer 1

Bars 30-61

Question 2

What is the structure of Part 2?

Answer 2

Small rounded binary form

C, C, D, C1

Question 3

What is the key of Part 2?

Answer 3

C major - bright key!

Question 4

Where is the first Section C?

Answer 4

Bars 30-37

Question 5

What chord does the first Section C start on?

Answer 5

C major in second inversion

Question 6

What is significant about the trombone entry at the start of Part 2?

Answer 6

It is the first time we hear trombones

Question 7

What is the point of muting the tremolando strings?

Answer 7

Not necessarily to make them quieter, but to give a different timbre

Question 8

What does sempre e passionato mean?

Answer 8

Always with passion

Question 9

What does the bass do in the first Section C?

Answer 9

Starts on a dominant pedal at pianissimo and moves to a tonic pedal in bar 33

Question 10

Which instrument plays the alphorn theme first?

Answer 10

Horns in C

Question 11

What is interesting about how the horn part is written?

Answer 11

Every 2nd bar the 1st horn has a dotted minim and 2nd horn enters with a semibreve.

This allows space for breathing whilst retaining a seamless theme.

Question 12

What does piu andante mean?

Answer 12

More walking pace

Question 13

How does the alphorn theme pass over between the first two playings of section C?

Answer 13

Horns conclude the phrase and the flute takes over both in bar 38 - overlap of theme

Question 14

Where is the second Section C?

Answer 14

Bars 38-46

Question 15

How is the second Section C different from the first?

Answer 15

Begins on a root position C major chord

Alphorn theme now in the flute part an octave higher

C major triad in horns + trumpet in bars 39-40

Chromatic inflections between bassoon and horns

Timp roll on the tonic (C) for 5 bars

No overlap of the theme in bar 46 - flutes conclude the theme

Question 16

Where is Section D?

Answer 16

Bars 47-51

Question 17

How does Section D contrast Section C?

Answer 17

It is a solemn 4-bar chorale in trombones and bassoons

Question 18

Which key(s) is Section D in?

Answer 18

Slightly modal ‘flavour’.

Beginning chord of A brings a touch of Dm, but a perfect cadence in F in bars 49-50 suggests a tonicisation of F.

Question 19

Where can the suspension in Section D be found?

Answer 19

Bar 49 beats 3-4

(4-3 suspension on C major chord)

Question 20

What cadence does Section D end in?

Answer 20

Imperfect cadence in C (IV-V)

Question 21

What is the function of the timp roll at the end of Section D?

Answer 21

Moves to G major chord preparing for alphorn theme

Question 22

Where is Section C1?

Answer 22

Bars 52-61

Question 23

What key is Section C1 in?

Answer 23

C major

Question 24

How is Section C1 different from Section C?

Answer 24

Overlapping entries of the Alphorn theme in horn, solo flute, and clarinet create textural variety

At the end the theme is fragmented and echoed by the solo horn in bar 59

Question 25

What cadence does Section C1 end in?

Answer 25

Imperfect cadence - ends on chord V7 (G7)

Question 26

What function does the pause at the end of Part 2 serve?

Answer 26

Dramatic effect - anticipatory

Prepares for the exposition