mozart k. 458, mvmt. 3 adagio
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
String Quartet No. 17 in Bb Major, K. 458 (“The Hunt”)
Mvmt. 3
Mozart
Form: Sonatina
Piece starts out in Eb Major, right into Theme 1
All voices contribute to melodic line but first violin is the leader.
Everything very smooth and melodic.
A transition from Theme 1 to Theme 2 begins, no set key, hints
at C Minor, C Major, and Bb Major.
First violin is in control of the melody
2nd violin and viola in sixteenth notes making the transition even more rugged and desiring to be resolved or brought
back to a strong key area.
Cello and first violin start trading off a melodic fragment.
Theme 2 starts, key Bb Major (dominant of Eb Major)
1st Violin has the melody
Other three voices are providing harmonic support and driving the
piece forward with sixteenth notes, sounds aggitated.
Cello takes melody and repeats what violin stated (almost how they traded
off during the transition but only once)
Theme 3 starts, still in Bb Major, first violin has melody
2nd violin and viola now playing 32nd notes that are bouncing
between two tones in chords, cello in 16th notes; creates even more
tension
Finally! Return to the comfort of slow, calm, melodic Theme 1 material (slightly altered).
Recapitulation starts.
Transitional material from beginning of piece returns but in
Eb Major (tonic key)
Theme 2 comes back in Eb Major.
Theme 3 comes back in Eb Major.
Coda begins
Borrows material from the end of Theme 1, alters some of that material, and adds some new
material.
Returns to material from beginning of Theme 1, sounds very pleasant
and conclusive.
Ends on a PAC