Mozart Jupiter Symphony Analysis 2nd Movement

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The second movement begins with a short, soft motif which culminates in a powerful G major chord, the dominant key of the movement. This first motif will be denominated “motif A”. Motif A repeats, with the first violins playing the melody and the remaining strings playing the harmony. In this iteration, however, the motif culminates on a F major chord, the tonic key. This theme ends on measure 11. The melody (motif A) is now taken by the lower strings, which alternates with the violins playing a quick succession of small scales in response. The horn and bassoon play quarter notes which harmonize the melody. A second theme appears after the violins play the final scale, with a pickup from the oboe and bassoon, in measure 19. The theme starts in forte with the entire orchestra, in the key of C minor. The winds play a pedal, while the first violin play a descending arpeggio, and the other strings play a rhythmic motif. The first violins then change to a frantic repetition of 16th notes, with the rest of the stings complete an F major chord. This theme ends on measure 27. The third theme begins in the C major key on measure 28, with the all voices except the 2nd violin and horn, the former of which is playing a “bouncing” scales motif, which will continue throughout the theme. In measure 32 only the first violins play the melody. This theme ends in measure 34. Part of the theme 3rd theme repeats and the the strings move down to progressively lower pitches. The trumpets then respond with a repetition of Gs in two octaves, which is notable due to the fact that they have been mostly resting throughout the piece. The exposition ends in measure 44, but is moved forward by the first violin
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