Simon Varnam <simonvar...@gmail.com> wrote: Schubert: Symphony #9 in C Too obvious?
To quote Bob, "Bzzzt...nope." It's _doubled_ by the two horns. By the way, this is a quite interesting 8-measure theme. It is piano and undemarcated in the initial horn renditions. But see sudden change from p to pp in the last two measures. This theme is not the usual 4+4=8 measures. It is (nearly always) 3+3+2. See the orchestration and dynamics of the several renditions that follow the initial horn rendition. This might reflect on how the pair or corno should perform the initial theme. Schubert's use of compound measures is worth study. Compare the very odd initial statement of the theme in the Unfinished. When I was in a grad school seminar Prof Maury Yeston (the same dude as the composer of _Nine_) was presented this problem by a member of the class and extempore came up with a very convincing analysis that invoked his earlier treatise _The Stratification of Musical Rhythm_ (1976). The rhythm is (almost) symmetrical, creating metrical closure over the initial 6 measures. Unrelated, but for Schubert 9 I've always thought that Real Horn Players should press down their 1+3 valves and play this opening piano passage using only hand technique. Think about the eloquent shading this provides in the second measure. Bob Ward -- Are you a RHP? _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
