Transcript Info for Mozart flute concertox

AOS 2: Shared Music
The Classical Concerto
Key Features
•
•
•
A work for orchestra and (usually one) soloist.
It’s all about the soloist – they are the focus, so they stand or sit in front of the orchestra for the audience to see.
The orchestra and soloist are partners in the music.
- Sometimes the orchestra takes a lead, taking over completely from the soloist.
- At other times the orchestra accompanies the soloist quietly.
- There are moments when the orchestra and soloist play together (a tutti).
- At other times the orchestra and soloist ‘play games’ together – interweaving and overlapping musical ideas, perhaps
through imitation, or call and response.
• Sonata form is often used in the 1st movement. This usually starts with a lively theme followed by a more gentle, lyrical one.
• Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven are the most important classical composers. They all composed concertos.
• The soloist gets a chance to show off just before the end of each movement (well, usually). This is called a cadenza. The
soloist plays this completely on their own.
Flute Concerto in G
by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756 - 1791
1st movement
2nd movement 3rd movement
Fast
Slow
Fast
Sonata form
Ternary or variation
form
Rondo, variation or
sonata form
How does the orchestra support and enhance the solo flute part?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The orchestra begins the music and introduces the main themes (on the violins) without the soloist.
Pulsing chordal accompaniment when the soloist starts playing.
Once the solo flute has come in it mostly takes the lead and plays all the main tunes.
Occasional Imitation between flute and violins.
Orchestra frequently plays short, prominent phrases between the soloist’s phrases.
The accompaniment is sometimes soft and pulsing, sometimes more rhythmic.
The orchestra creates interesting and varied harmonies to add mood and colour to the solo part.
The orchestral part is quite ‘light’ so not to overpower the flute.
The orchestral accompaniment stops completely for the flute cadenza.
An orchestral tutti finishes the 1st movement.