Form Symphony No. 2 (Dohnányi)

1 form

1.1 1. allegro con brio, ma energico e appassionato
1.2 2. adagio pastorale, molto con sentimento
1.3 3. scherzo - burla: allegro
1.4 4. variazione

form

the work in traditional four-movement symphony format.

1. allegro con brio, ma energico e appassionato

the first movement, approximately fourteen minutes, begins distinctive main theme recurs in various manifestations. theme developed 1 minute , sets heavy, uncertain air. after introductory material concludes, second, more lyrical theme presented violas , expanded woodwinds, displaying dohnányi s talent rich harmony , engaging orchestration. although quiet section, periodically accented louder strings; last accent not fade , grows in expectation of passionate high point, violently , abruptly interrupted burst brass , subsequent use of snares. after interruption, basses interject muscular passage before snares resume similar episode. music quiets , returns lyrical sequence. after several minutes of gradual growth, movement reaches climax, complete recapitulation of opening theme , developing material, executed brass shimmering undercurrent of violins, , punctuated timpani. after short respite, dohnányi makes 2 more brief reiterations of introductory theme, , proceeds final bars, massive ending. after vacillating wildly between tragedy , triumph duration of movement, dohnányi concludes in tonic major.

2. adagio pastorale, molto con sentimento

the second movement differs drastically first, bearing little resemblance shifting, stifled martial atmosphere of opening movement. begins pseudo-romantic theme woodwinds, flutes , oboes playing prominent parts. later joined strings in sweeping entrance hinting @ style of dvořák, play fluidly cheerful, not light, development. passage quiets , main theme recapitulated flutes, after solo clarinet scales playfully, support of soft strings , horn. segways simple, eerie rhythm set harp, playing 9 consecutive whole notes rich harmony of woodwinds above. after several repetitions of opening material, movement climaxes romantic intensity, pulsing strings complemented confident trumpets , timpani. there extended decline, merges concluding passages. second movement ends tenderly, quiet nostalgia. around twelve minutes in duration.

3. scherzo - burla: allegro

the scherzo, perhaps symphony s modern movement, not remind listener of work s first half. 5 minutes, intended grotesque , possibly unsettling. begins turbulently rapid, discordant succession of chords, progression constitute basis of movement, above menacing string undertone. amid shrill flute introduces barely distinguishable second theme of movement. afterward strings commence momentary moment of fluidity before interrupted wailing trombone gives impression of russian circus. march rhythm accompanies action, trumpets buzzing disconcertedly. flutes return second theme, before trombones recapitulate opening material, creating competitive environment in various sections of orchestra struggle supremacy. in brief return lyricism, strings play shiny passage playful woodwinds beneath. unpredictably extinguished squawking trill of brass, refocusing movement rapid material introduction, chords returning strong accents. after thirty seconds of assorted events, distinctive swoon of trombones heard once before returns more violent intensity, overshadowing rest of instruments, , drives movement humorous , ungraceful conclusion. in full tutti, scherzo s end abrupt, led brief buildup , accomplished final, unrelenting chord.

4. variazione

there no overarching indication of tempo or mood in movement, rather sequence of changing markings. after short introduction, movement presents 5 consecutive variations of theme bach centerpiece of finale. variations followed short fugue on same theme , concluding coda. markings follows: introduzione: andante - tema: adagio - variazione i: piu mosso (andante) - variazione ii: piu mosso, animato, risoluto - variazione iii: meno mosso (quasi il tempo del tema) - variazione iv: piu mosso, tempestuoso (circa doppio movimento) - variazione v: adagio (mezzo movimento) - fuga: adagio ma non troppo - coda: andante maestoso - alla marcia. movement symphony s longest, spanning twenty minutes.

the finale briefly introduced sullen, tuba-based opening, transitions vibrant, concerto-style duet violin passage, first of 5 variations. bulk of movement consists of remaining four, executed combination of solo , orchestral work, , spread on variety of musical forays. these passages, although highly diverse in style , orchestration, derive core material primary choral melody of bach s song komm, süßer tod. although bach scored song s main theme solo voice, dohnányi did not include choral setting of work, , maintains purely instrumental interpretation. after fifth variation, dohnányi proceeds six-minute fugue based on same material; fugue leads movement climax, building gentle strings , steadily involving more of orchestra. in midst of climax bach s melody united symphony s opening theme, presented trumpets , supported trombones, horns , tuba. new energy drives movement coda, closes symphony. unlike unsure victory of first movement, finale has no reservations triumph , presents robust march conclude piece, definitive e major finish.