Saturday, July 27, 2013

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, third movement

The third movement, Adagio molto e cantabile, was always the one I found the most difficult to understand. I sensed that it was beautiful, but how was a bit of a mystery. This was one of the first Beethoven symphonies that I listened to a lot, and my understanding was fairly limited. The faster, more bombastic movements were more to my liking back then. But since then, I have listened to a great number of Beethoven slow movements and sets of variations, so I am better equipped to hear what is going on.

The movement begins with a brief introduction for the winds that simply outlines the key, B flat:


Then the violins have the melody:

Click to enlarge

Beethoven's metronome marking here, quarter note at 60, is quicker than most performances, though some conductors, following the "historically-informed performance" principles, and playing on original instruments, do adhere pretty strictly to Beethoven's tempi. This opening melody is a classic period, meaning that it is an eight-measure phrase divided in two four-measure segments. The first ends on the dominant, a half-cadence, and the second with a perfect authentic cadence on the tonic. I wrote about this kind of musical architecture here. Now you may have noticed that there are actually NINE measures in the theme, not eight. The reason is that there is an extra measure inserted between the two segments in which the winds add to their brief introduction. This kind of procedure, internal expansion of a conventional phrase, is a fruitful one and we will see it again.

When we listen to the performance, you will notice that Barenboim takes this movement much slower than quarter note = 60. His tempo is somewhere around quarter note = 30 or 35. Remember Beethoven's tempo is adagio molto e cantabile. This continues for a few phrases, then a new theme in a new tempo is introduced: Andante moderato, quarter note = 63. Which is absurd, of course. The difference between adagio molto and andante moderato is considerably greater than the difference between 60 and 63 beats per minute! Barenboim's choice, to slow down the adagio to something that really sounds like adagio molto, makes sense. Here is the new theme, given to the second violins:


Sorry for the break: it's a long theme and takes up a couple of lines in the score. That final F# is the link to a repeat of the phrase. The key is now D major and this is another eight measure period. There is no clear half cadence after the first four measures, however as the whole phrase tends to alternate between I and V with a dominant pedal. This section modulates back to B flat and we hear a variation on the first theme, in the original tempo with a lot of delicate filigree in the first violins.

Then the Andante moderato returns, but this time the flutes and oboes have the theme and the key is G major instead of D. On the next return to the adagio, the key is E flat and the winds have a variation on the original theme. The horn gets some nice solos and the strings have a pizzicato accompaniment. In the next section, modulating back to B flat, the first violins offer another variation in filigree, this time with a change of meter to 12/8, which is identical to simply doing triplets (or sextuplets). This has been prefigured in the strings as their pizzicato was in triplets in the previous section. After more and more elaborate variations in the first violins, the winds return with a simpler statement of the theme.

A loud fanfare in the winds and brass introduces yet another variation, mostly in the first violins. I have talked about "delicate filigree" which is a feeble attempt to describe the wonderful expressive things that are going on here. It is very tempting to simply refuse to talk about this sort of movement, but I have tried to give a bit of an idea of what is going on in case it might open a door for you.

Here is Daniel Barenboim conducting the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the Proms last year in 2012:


24 comments:

Rickard said...

Interesting, I had no idea the performances were so much slower than what Beethoven intended. And I also used to think (and think to some extent now) that it's a kind of mysterious movement. It's the only movement in the symphony that isn't so bombastic and it's pretty calm compared with the rest. Maybe it makes more sense when it's performed at the speed Beethoven wrote (I don't know as I haven't listened to such a performance I think).

Anyways, I've got an unrelated question/topic I hope you can explain to me. Basically I've been having a discussion about modes and key signatures on a forum with another forum member. The thing is that he composed a piece which he called "C Mixolydian Blues March" and what got my main attention was that he was using the key siganture of no flats and no sharps although C Mixolydian has the tones of C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb and thus should in my opinion using what I think is common sense music theory rules use the key sigature of one flat. He however claims that the key signature of no sharps and flats is required to make sure it shows that C is the tonic, basically using C major but modifying by throwing in redundant accidentals because he thinks that all scales/modes that have a major chord on the tonic should be treated as "major", same principle for "minor" scales/modes (thus treating for example D Dorian as D minor but raising the 6th throwing in extra naturals instead of letting the key signature handle it). Either way his way of thinking doesn't make much sense to me as the key signature typically tells which tones the piece will mostly consist of and the tonic of the piece then is made more or less clear and can often be found (unless it's for example moving inbetween modes alot, polytonal, modulating alot or simply being atonal and so on, then the key signature maybe isn't so helpful). So, in summary if a piece isn't major or minor but in fact is modal which of the two approaches to the key signature is more correct (when looking at it from a theoretical point of view)?

Bryan Townsend said...

Rickard, thanks for your comment. I just put up a post going into the tempo controversy more deeply.

Now as to the other issue: not having access to the comments on the other forum, my remarks can only be about what you have written. I think part of the confusion may come from the fact that key signatures were developed for and have a function only within the tonal system. In a modal system, their use, while practical, is a bit problematic. Yes, C mixolydian should have a key signature of one flat, but it's not actually a 'key', but a mode. Our system of notation is highly developed and incredibly useful, but it has certain quirks because of its history. For example, if you are writing whole-tone music the choice of what accidentals to employ is completely arbitrary because the notation was developed specifically for tonal, not whole-tone, music.

Similarly, some music written in the transition between the modal and tonal systems looks odd to us because it uses the 'wrong' key signature and even seems to end on the 'wrong' harmony. This is a big topic and there is an excellent discussion of it in the Journal of the American Musicological Society, vol. 51, no. 2, Summer 1998: "Modal Theory, Church Keys, and the Sonata at the End of the Seventeenth Century", by Gregory Barnett.

Rickard said...

So our western music theory is basically incomplete with regards to things like modes/scales? Also what exactly defines scales, modes and keys? I've been thinking about it some thanks to the discussion with him and here's an idea how all those things could be defined (probably wrong and there are probably many who have thought about it in the same or slightly different way):

- A scale group or mode group consists of an interval formula in which the starting point can be changed. A good example would be our diatonic "mode group".
- By changing the starting points in the interval formula you get different modes. For instance from the diatonic "mode group" you get ionian, dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian, aeolian and locrian.
- If you take a set of tones (with no regard to order unlike in tone rows) you form a key. Basically if you take C, D, E, F, G, A & B you have a key.
- Now depending on the tonic in that key you get a scale which is basically the mode for that specific key, for instance C major, D dorian or G mixolydian.

Rickard said...

Edit: The last part about key and scale maybe should be the other way around or so.

Bryan Townsend said...

Hi Rickard,

Sorry, I seem to have missed your subsequent comments! I think that what I will do is put up a post on keys and modes. There are lots of modes other than just the church modes. There are a whole bunch of Russian modes, for example, very little known in the West. Also things like the octatonic scale and the whole tone scale are really modes.

Rickard said...

Well, you might have missed a couple other of my comments or just haven't found time to reply to them yet. Either way, yes there are plenty of modes and yet most composers (even today) seem to go either major/minor or atonal when there is an enormous middle ground with modes (not just the church modes but many more as you said). I look forward to your post.

Unknown said...

I'm sorry, but I have to confess -- I've never really liked this movement. Perhaps I fall into the category of those who do not understand it, but no amount of academic discussion will help.

I confess I find it a crashing bore, and wish it were half the length. The constant key changes up a tone (like a cheap pop song) only seem to make things worse. I just don't think the melodies are his best. It seems especially weak in comparison with Beethoven's great major key slow movements (the 4th and 6th symphonies and the Emperor Concerto) and I find myself drifting off, just waiting for the mighty finale.

Am I alone in this? I have heard it countless times, and never really got any further with it.

Bryan Townsend said...

Hi Adrian and welcome to the Music Salon. You get full points and a gold star for giving us an honest and candid evaluation.

The movement I really don't like is the last one.

Paul said...

I think this 3rd movement is one of the greatest moments in all music history.

rigarbet said...

Hi, I'm Richard. I have any professional knowledge of music, I'm not a musician, I'm just a biologist. But, I have a very close connection with this movement, I've listened to it for years when I want to relax or to connect with who I am. I think that It describes the birth of the real love: at the beginning, it starts very slowly and with the time it becomes stronger and deeper. I really love it, to listen this movement it just like to feel love...

Bryan Townsend said...

Welcome to the Music Salon and thanks for your comment, Richard!

Unknown said...

You arent alone. It is a weak movement in my opinion, it bored me to tears in the beginning and Ive slowly come to slightly enjoy it. I don't feel the logic of radically altering a composers tempo. I also agree with many theoruest that we play many movements too fast. For this movement conductors tend to drag it out at often twice the duration it should be. Fellow students in my music class also found other things to do when we listened to it. You are not alone :)

Bryan Townsend said...

Thanks, Davis and welcome. It was the movement that made the least impact on me as well. Like yourself, over the years I have come to appreciate it. But also, over time, I have become less fond of the fourth movement!

Unknown said...

This is my favourite piece of Beethoven s music, but it s a slow burner. I have had to listen to it a lot of times before I came to appreciate it. Now i cant imagine that i will ever come across a more moving piece.

Bryan Townsend said...

Thanks for the comment Unknown! For some reason this post, out of all the ones I have done on Beethoven, seems to attract the most comments. Yes, this is a lovely movement, but let me recommend the last movement of the Piano Sonata, op 111, which is truly sublime.

Anonymous said...

i find the third movement of the choral symphony to be sublimely beautiful....getting the right tempo is key for me...i love the live Solti performance with jessye Norman soprano...it is perfectly done.... it is one of the greatest performances i have ever heard in more than 57 years of my music life....celestial beauty!

DeanR said...

Unfortunately, I know nothing about music theory, but I find the 3rd movement to be hauntingly beautiful. And what I think it is is the sound of someone weeping...maybe complaining about the difficulties of their life. And that seems confirmed by the first words of the 4th movement, "O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!" - Oh friends not these sounds. He is saying, oh don't cry, life is sad, but more importantly it is about joy.

Bryan Townsend said...

You need know nothing about music theory to derive deep joy and affirmation from music. And Beethoven seems to be one of the most powerful composers to listen to when you are feeling down.

Unknown said...

I agree. I believe it is some of the most beautiful music ever created. It adds a sense of depth and reflection to the symphony as a whole. The emotional range takes you everywhere, and the conclusion of the movement is deeply satisfying and regal,leaving a sense of appreciation and love for something that only you can define. I normally listen to Muti conducting this movement as I enjoy it to that tempo.

Nick said...

Maybe LvB was hurried to share his library with the world and so nudged the tempos up. This mvmt is melodically flawless and one of his pinnacles. I prefer the slow tempo, even at Bruno Walter's crawl. There are only precious hours in our lives we are steeped in this. I am happy to savor every note

Bryan Townsend said...

I'm amazed that this eight year old post keeps attracting comments. Thanks, all.

Unknown said...

I just listened to the full symphony,Gustavo Dudemal conducting the Sinfoica de Galicia. My background is as an amateur choral singer, 1st Tenor. TABERNACLE CHOIR AT TEMPLE SQUARE, 1970'S and 1980's.

My Impression of the 3rd Movement per this hearing was that Beethoven wanted his listner to feel an emotion of expectant brooding. The conflicts of the 1st movement were not resolved in the feverish dashing anout in the 2nd movement. The third is contemplative, the music hinting and then warning of more conflict. Emotions vary, a resolution is made. Universal Brotherhood is the answer. Truly an Ode to Joy if only humans will accept it.

Anonymous said...

It’s barely possible to describe the emotional response to this movement, and I consider myself to be one who is able to relinquish such vulnerability to the arts in any form. I witnessed, for the first time, the performance of this piece a couple nights ago, at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, with the Colorado Symphony and Colorado Symphony Chorus, led by guest conductor Peter Oundjian. I came to the internet to see if there was a space where folks were commenting on its merits and effect. I have found it!
The tears flowed as the music unveiled the telling of someone’s life. Or at least that’s how I interpreted the meaning of this piece. I felt like I was floating through the memories of someone’s existence, some of them painful, sorrowful, and some joyous and worth celebrating. It felt like a novel read in less than twenty minutes. I will be listening to this again and again. I’m happy to have found this commentary and have enjoyed reading reactions, regardless of the critique.

Bryan Townsend said...

I am delighted that this nearly decade old post continues to attract comments!