I was intrigued by the opening of "Allegro Ma Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso." The opening theme is played "pianissimo (as quietly as possible) over strings tremolos," which creates the feeling of an orchestra tuning. In fact, apparently many critics have even suggested that this was Beethoven's inspiration.
Nevertheless, the overall mood of this first movement is stormy, which creates a particularly striking effect when contrasted with these pianissimo string parts. It is from this gentle beginning that the first theme commences and then there is a steady increase in tension, creating the aforementioned stormy feeling, and quickly leading to the eruption and powerful clash of instruments. Throughout the piece, as in the beginning, there is a strong contrast between the soft and loud parts, almost as though they are jostling for attention. There is always a soft beautiful melody or a loud, bold controlling part. I believe that it is this contrast between the two incredibly different parts that makes this piece so interesting.
I really like how you use the word stormy to describe the mood of the first movement. It does sound like the instruments are clashing and erupting in the first theme, giving a stormy effect. I think that maybe your observation can say a thing further about the narrative Beethoven is telling. You said at the beginning of the first movement that it sounds like an orchestra is tuning. To me this makes me feel like something is being put together. So, perhaps the beginning is sort of like the universe coming together, stars aligning, etc. And then the clash of the instruments, the eruptions, and the stormy mood is supposed to make us feel like something is being created. I am imagining earth being created with volcanoes erupting and storms brewing. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but I think your description helps me articulate how the music makes me feel.
ReplyDelete