Music 100 Concert Report

Allegro, as the very first motion is named, implies to have a fast paced pace. This movement starts with the very first and second violins playing followed by the cello and viola, then lastly the clarinet comes in over the rest of the musicians. This movement may be quick paced, however the tone of the movement is melancholy in some areas. The theme of the movement is played several times over. The style of Allegro is the opening expressions where the very first and second violins begin, then add in the cello and viola, then the clarinet.

This repeating phrase throughout the very first movement helps produce a pattern and a story. What is fascinating in this movement is that the opening style sets up the rest of the piece.

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Brahms changes the theme in each movement, however this original theme is still present in each movement after. Completion of Allegro is constructed up into a big climax by utilizing crescendo, a much heavier and more violent bow stroke, and more quick notes than are present in the remainder of the piece. The Adagio, in contrast to the first movement, is slower paced and softer. The tone of this motion remains in great contrast to the first also. The state of mind is dark and full of suffering and anguish, whereas in the first the state of mind was lighter.

This mood is developed by the distinction in the design in which the artists are playing. The clarinet in this motion plays lower notes that are sustained for long durations of time while the violin plays the tune over it.

The very first two motions of the piece are much lengthier than the last 2 motions. The third motion, Andantino, is faster than andante- which is a strolling speed- however slower than moderato. The tempo marking andantino is more dynamic than andante. The third motion acts as a transition into the last movement.

In this motion there is pizzicato, which is the plucking of the strings on a string instrument. The very first and 2nd violins, cello, and viola utilize this method in this motion while the clarinet plays the melody over them. The very first violin includes in by playing on the string once again, and then the remainder of the strings include playing using their bows instead of plucking the strings.

The fourth movement, Con moto, is different from the previous movements because of the tone and style of this section, but it also revisits the original theme of the first movement, which ties all the movements together. The original theme is used as a framing device throughout the entire piece.

Between each time the theme is played, there are different styles of other themes played. Some are mellower while others are more of a scherzo, which is a lively part within a larger work. This piece was preformed wonderfully by the GVSU Chamber Players. They played passionately and because of this, the audience could better understand the piece and what Brahms intended the audience to feel when they listened to his work. The players made great use of dynamics throughout the piece and they were very skilled in the different styles Brahms wrote into the music. I really enjoyed the concert and look forward to going to another soon.