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15.2: Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525, II.

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    15.2 Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525, II.

    The second movement of Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik is a five-part rondo form (ABACA).

    Let us examine the elements of music in the first section (the A section).

    contrast-eine-3-a-idea.svg

    /
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\):

    Notice how Mozart expresses the various musical elements:

    Table 15.2.2. A Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik
    Harmony

    The key is C major

    Rhythm

    The 8th note is most common rhythmic value, though the phrase begins with quarter-note values

    Texture

    The top two instruments are grouped together against a simple bass part

    Articulation

    Generally legato

    Dynamics Soft
    Register

    Neither extremely high nor low

    Here is the beginning of the second section (the B section):

    contrast-eine-3-b-idea.svg

    /
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): B Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik

    Here are the most noticeable differences:

    Table 15.2.4. B Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik
    Rhythm

    8th notes are the most common rhythmic value, with some 16th-note runs

    Texture

    All four voices move in the same rhythm at the beginning of each subphrase

    Articulation

    Four staccato notes start each subphrase

    Now, look at the beginning of the next contrasting section (the C section):

    contrast-eine-3-c-idea.svg

    /
    Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): C Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik

    The following elements are noticeably changed:

    Table 15.2.6. C Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik
    Harmony

    This section begins in C minor

    Rhythm

    The accompaniment moves in 16th notes and the ornamentation of the second melody note (the turn) in the outer parts sounds as four 32nd notes

    Texture

    The middle two parts (Violin II and Viola) are paired together and the Violin I and Cello/Bass part engage in imitation

    Articulation

    The middle parts are played in a “separated” manner (more staccato than legato) and the motive in the outer voices starts with a staccato note

    Listen to how Mozart puts the entire form together, including transitional material to smooth out the changes from one section to another.

    contrast-eine-ABACA-diagram.svg

    /
    Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\): Formal Diagram of Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik

    This page titled 15.2: Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525, II. is shared under a GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Robert Hutchinson via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.