Mozart!

Mozart's Violin Sonata in B flat major, K. 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPANN4hnjzk&playnext=1&list=PL46AF9681B370FAC8&feature=results_video

I came about this sonata in a very whimsical way.  I had a fairly open mind as to what song I wanted to dissect and I merely typed the words “Mozart” and “Violin” into Google and it spit out an array of choices.  I chose to blog about Mozart’s Violin Sonata in B flat major, K. 8 because I used to play the violin in high school and I love the range of sounds that the violin can create.  Another reason why I chose this piece is because Mozart was only a child when he wrote this sonata.  There are three movements to this sonata; they include allegro, andante, and menuet I/II.  My blog focuses on the allegro movement.    

I enjoy the majestic, yet lighthearted feel that the violin brings to this piece. Mozart’s violin sonata begins with both the violin and keyboard playing in unison.  The violin appears to be playing the melody while the keyboard supports the violin with the harmony.  As the song goes on the keyboard plays for a short section and the violin answers, and vice-versa. The accompaniment of the violin adds a unique twist to this tune, since his early violin sonatas could be played with only the keyboard.  The rhythm of the keyboard and the violin alternate throughout the song.  For example, when the violin is playing short, choppy notes the keyboard is playing notes that are more smooth and flowing.  The keyboard also sounds more prominent in some sections while the violin sounds more prominent in others. The constant tension between the violin and the keyboard resembles the Enlightenment period because this was an age of many new discoveries and debates.  The rivaling parts of the keyboard and violin represent the two people or two sides discussing an issue or perhaps discovering something new.  The texture of the music also seems to point to the idea that there are instances in the song when the violin and keyboard “agree”.  The point in the music when this occurs is when the two instruments seem to be complementing each other the most.

Mozart’s Violin Sonata in B flat major, K 8 demonstrates a parallel interrupted period and the sentence structure is considered to be 2+2+4.  The antecedent ends with half cadence and has not reached "home" yet.  The basic idea is repeated and the phrase ends in a perfect authentic cadence.  The presence of the basic sentence structures is very evident in this piece.  The sentence structure in Mozart’s violin and keyboard sonata consists of three parts: the basic idea, the repeat of the basic idea, and a continuation.  This sentence structure is represented in a 2mm, 2mm, and 4mm form.  Similar to what would have been considered the norm during the Enlightenment, this song has fairly simple harmonies and it stays with the home key.  Another way in which this song represents the Age of Enlightenment ideals is the song's constant return to the home key.  The Enlightenment placed a great importance upon reason and the ability to find the truth through science instead of religion.  This sonata parallels society during that time because it uses the basic ideas at the beginning of the song and builds off of them.  The light and delicate feel to the song also resembles the music of the Enlightenment.  Also, the form of a sonata consists speaks for the Enlightenment.  The last section of a sonata is referred to as a recapitulation.  This violin sonata demonstrates a lot of growth throughout the exposition and the development and once it reaches the recapitulation the phrases that were presented earlier in the song are finally given closure.