A Technical Essay on the Composition Techniques used in Sibelius Symphony 2

The most noticeable and repeated element of Allegretto is the dominant and sub-dominant chord progression of I (tonic), IV (sub-dominant), V (dominant). First used by all strings in the opening measures of the movement, this progression is continually being played by the low strings (Cellos and Basses).

Sibelius writes this movement in A-B-A form so of course each section of this movement has certain characteristics. The first section of the movement (A) opens with the strings playing an expressive style known as Coll`e while stating

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Sibelius also uses the leading tone-to-dominant resolution technique from section B in the brass and woodwinds to build tension until he holds the dominant and resolves to tonic. He then holds a German V chord and then resolves to root before going on. An interesting composition technique used by Sibelius in the A material is he writes the woodwinds to play a trill going from V to IV while the brass play tonic. The transition from section A to section B, and the transition from Major to Minor, is made by the clarinet. The melody in section B is a richly textured legato style with notes that line up to make beautiful harmonies. During these runs the lower-end strings and higher-end strings have a question-answer pattern, almost fugue like. Also characteristic of section A is the use of 4’s to carry the melodic line (horns, oboe, flute, and clarinet). In this section a variation on the oboe part in A is restated with oboe, clarinet, and flute as well as 4’s being used for transition.

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The most interesting trait about Vivacissimo is how greatly the A material differs from the B material. The second melodic line is carried by the oboe, bassoon, flute, and clarinet playing a variation of the 4’s played in the opening movement. The third movement of Sibelius Symphony #2 is written in A-B form, has an odd-meter, and makes a wonderful transition into Finale (the two are basically connected) all while demonstrating the musical genius of Jean Sibelius. My favorite part in movement one then comes next. The B material is written in 12/4 and is in the key of G Flat Major and the melodic line is moved throughout the strings and woodwinds. The A material of the third movement is in the key of B Flat Major, uses themes stated in the first movement but is in 6/8 to give it a triple feel (characteristic of a third movement in a symphony), and incorporates two different melodic lines.

Common topics in this essay:
Major Minor, Flat Major, Sibelius Symphony, Basses Sibelius, Jean Sibelius, Finale Symphony, IV Coll`e, melodic line, , coll`e style, chromatic pattern, symphony #2, chromatic patterns, flat major, strings playing, third movement, Tempo Andante/ma, Major Finale, movement sibelius symphony, sub-dominant dominant, ascending chromatic, ascending descending chromatic, return material a^1, key flat major, ascending chromatic pattern,

Approximate Word count = 965
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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