The classical music blog

 -The Quartet No.20 in D major, K.499, Mozart- The Quartet was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Vienna in 1786. This piece was published by his friend - Franz Anton Hoffmeister.  Because of this reason, the Quartet has named the nickname Hoffmeister. The structure Thete are four movements. 1. Allegretto in D major 2. Menuetto in D major with a trio section 3. Adagio in G major 4. Allegro in D major This work is between the six quarters of Haydn (1782~1785) and the following three Prussian Quartet, and it is often used to a polyphonic way that is uncharactered in the earlier part of the classical music era.  The menu ethos and trio section show these examples, with irregular Canon between the first violin and viola, and double imitation in the trio between the violins, viola, and cello. Link:  The Quartet No.20 in D major, K.499 References:  1.Einstein, Alfred (1945). Mendel, Arthur; Broder, Nathan (eds.). Mozart, His Character, His Work 2.Seiffert, Wolf-Die...

-The Piano Trio No.39 in G major, Haydn- The Piano trio was composed in 1795, during the final few weeks of Haydn's second trip to London. Also, This piece is one of three works which were dedicated to Rebecca Schroeter.  It's perhaps his best-known Piano trio, and it's named "Gypsy Rondo Trio" as a nickname because of the Rondo Finale of Hungarian Style". Structure The structure of this trio is in three movements. 1. Andante 2. Poco Adagio, Cantabile 3. Rondo all'Ongarese - Presto First, the first movement is blended of double variation and Rondo for the two minor sections. Also, the alternation of variations in major and minor keys is characteristic of Haydn's movement. Next, the second movement continues the gentle mood, and it is noted for the violin melody in the central section. Finally, the final movement incorporates a number of Gypsy tunes and Gypsy effects, including the Hungarian "recruiting dance" genre that is known as Verbunkos...

 -The Cello Concerto No.2 in D major- Haydn's cello Concerto No.2 was composed for James Cervetto, who was an Italian opera artist, in 1783. Also, It's premier performance was composed by Haydn on March 24, 1784 at Hannover square. Next, The second performance was performed after a week and advertised in the London press. Structure  The cello Concerto is structured in the three movements. 1. Allegro moderato 2. Adagio 3. Rondo Allegro First, In the first movement, the tone is leisurely and soothing. However, another theme is discovered upon the opening theme when the piece soon enters the development phase. Next, the second movement, the key shifts to the dominant, A major. The tempo 'Adagio' is slower than many slow movements of Haydn which are 'Andante'. Finally, the final movement is the shortest movement of the Concerto. Also, It's in Rondo form, and ends with a cheerful affirmation. Link:  The Cello Concerto No.2 in D major, Haydn Reference: 1.Tolley, T...

 -Piano Sonata No.21 in C major , Beethoven- The Piano Sonata No.21 in C major, Op.53, known as the Waldstein, is one of the three most notable sonatas of his middle period. It was completed in summer, 1804, and surpassed in Beethoven's previous Piano sonatas.  Thus, as a key early work of Beethoven's heroic decade, The Waldstein set a standard for the piano composition in grand manner. The name of this Sonata was derived from his dedication to his close friend and patron : Count Ferdinand Ernst Gabriel von Baldstein. Structure The Waldstein has three movements : 1. Allegro con brio (in C major) 2. Introduzione : Adagio Molto (in F major) 3. Rondo. Allegretto moderato - Prestissimo (in C major) First, The first movement is in Sonata form and common time. It has a repeated exposition with two subject groups , a development section, a coda, etc.  Also, the movement opens with repeated pianissimo chords in a straightforward but anxious rhythm. Next, the second movement (intr...

 -The Violin Sonata No.8 in G major, Op.30, No.3 (Beethoven)- The Violin Sonata No.8, the third piece of his Opus 30 set, was written between 1801 and 1802.  It was published in May 1803, and dedicated to Tsar Alexander I of Russia.  Thus, Alexander gave Beethoven a diamond when they met at Vienna, 1814. Structure The Sonata has three movements: 1. Allegro Assai 2. Tempo di minuetto (Molto moderato e grazioso) in E flat major 3. Allegro Vivace Overall, This sonata is characteristic of early/middle Beethoven because of its solid Sonata structure.  Also, It begins to get adventurous in syncopation with the extraordinary off beat sforzandi. In particular, in the middle of Allegro Assai,  After The chordial transition theme is ending with the bar 1, the second unexpected subject in D minor continues without the rest.  Also, the piano is leading with stormy 4-bar theme, and the Violin is accompanying with double-stopped notes. Thus, the unsettled atmosphere cont...

 -Piano Concerto No.4 in G major, Op 58, beethoven- Ludwig Beethoven's this concerto was composed in 1805-1806.  As a soloist, he was in the public premiere as part of the concert on 22 December, 1808 at Vienna. In fact, the work was premiered in March 1807 at the private concert in the home of Franz Joseph von Lobkowitz.  However, the public premiere was performed at Vienna's Theater an der Wien in December, 1808. After finishing the concert, Beethoven dedicated to this concerto to Archduke Rudolph ,who was his friend and patron. Also, In 1809, the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung states that it's more admirable and Artistic, and complex.  However, after the first performance, this work was forgotten until 1836, when it was played by Mendelssohn again. Structure The movements has 3 movements. Also, traditionally, it is scored for solo piano or orchestra consisting of flute, oboe, clarinet, etc. 1. Allegro moderato in G major 2. Andante con moto in E minor and in C Ma...