Mendelssohn Violin Concerto 1st Movment

Question 0

What is the home key of this piece?

Answer 0

E minor

Question 1

What form does this piece have?

Answer 1

Sonata form.

Question 2

What is unusual about the exposition of this piece?

Answer 2

The Soloist and Orchestra come in together.

Question 3

What is interesting about the way the theme is played by the Violino Principale in the exposition?

Answer 3

It is played by a solo violin wholly on an E string, well above the stave.

Question 4

Where can a diminished 7th be found in the first subject?

Answer 4

In the Vl.pr bars 41-42.

Question 5

Where can a perfect cadence be found in the first subject in the exposition?

Answer 5

At 71⁴ -72¹

Question 6

At what bar does the transition theme begin in the exposition?

Answer 6

72.

Question 7

Where is there a diminished chord in the transition in the exposition.

Answer 7

91³ - 91⁴

Question 8

In what key is the second subject in the exposition?

Answer 8

G major.

Question 9

When does the second subject start in the exposition?

Answer 9

Bar 131

Question 10

Who initially plays the second subject in the exposition?

Answer 10

The theme is initially played by the clarinet (and flute?)

Question 11

Where is there a reminder of the first subject in the second subject in the exposition.

Answer 11

Bar 168 in the relative major (G).

Question 12

What happens after the exposition?

Answer 12

There is a short codetta into the development.

Question 13

At what bar does the development begin?

Answer 13

Bar 226

Question 14

What themes are developed in the development?

Answer 14

Mainly subject one and also the transition theme,

Question 15

What happens right at the end of the development?

Answer 15

There is a cadenza. This breaks classical tradition as the cadenza is usually found at the end of the Movment.

Question 16

How is the cadenza played?

Answer 16

It is played rubato in bravura style.

Question 17

What is the “purpose” of the cadenza?

Answer 17

It acts as a bridge to the recapitulation.

Question 18

Where does the recapitulation begin?

Answer 18

Bar 335

Question 19

In what key is the first subject in the recapitulation?

Answer 19

E minor.

Question 20

What are the differences between the second subject in the exposition and the second subject in the development?

Answer 20

It is in the tonic major (E major)

The flute plays the melody initially

Question 21

What happens after the recapitulation?

Answer 21

There is a small codetta in E minor to act as a bridge to the coda.

Question 22

How does the piece end?

Answer 22

With a perfect cadence with a pedal note in the fagotti as a link to the second Movment.