Symphony No. 8 (Schubert): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:27, 17 April 2007

Revision as of 04:25, 23 April 2007

Line 14:

===First Movement: Allegro moderato in B minor===

The symphony's first movement is in sonata form, opening softly in the strings followed by a melody sounded by the oboes and clarinets. A typical Schubertian transition consists of just four measures, effectively modulating to the [[submediant]] key of G major (mm. 38-41). The second subject group--one of Schubert's most famous--is played by the celli and repeated by the violins. An emphatic closing theme features heavy sforzandi, and is based on continual development of the second subject. Commentators on the symphony reaching back as far as Brahms have noted the highly dissonant chord that ends the exposition.{{Fact|date=January 2007}} Here Schubert superimposes a tonic B in the bassoons over the dominant F# chord, creating a mixture of the two tonalities that evokes the end of the development in Beethoven's Eroica Symphony{{Fact|date=January 2007}}.

An important moment in the first movement occurs in measure 109 (and is repeated in measure 327). In these measures, Schubert holds a tonic 'B' pedal in the second bassoon and first horn under the dominant F# chord, that evokes the end of the development in Beethoven's Eroica Symphony. Unfortunately in recent times, a well meaning (but inexperienced) editor removed this dissonance by altering the second bassoon and first horn part. Conductors must check these parts carefully to make sure that the 'B' pedal is instact.

The development section is extended and features a reworking of the primary theme group. Near the end, the flutes and oboes recapture their melodic role from the movement's beginning, preparing a transition to the recapitulation.